Asia-Pacific Stocks Rise, Japan and Hong Kong Lead the Way

Stocks in the Asia-Pacific region experienced mostly positive gains on Thursday, August 24. Japan’s market continued its fourth consecutive session of growth, while Hong Kong’s market achieved three days of consecutive gains.

Hong Kong and Japan Stocks Perform Well

The Hang Seng Index (HK:HSI) in Hong Kong saw an increase of 2.1% to reach 18,212.17. Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index (JP:NIK) added 0.9%, closing at 32,287.21.

Other Market Performances

China’s Shanghai Composite Index (CN:SHCOMP) rose marginally by 0.1% to reach 3,082.24. Singapore stocks also saw a gain of 0.3% with the FTSE Straits Times Index (SG:STI) closing at 3,184.78. South Korean stocks experienced a significant increase with the KOSPI Composite Index (KR:180721) growing by 1.3% to close at 2,537.68. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Benchmark Index (AU:XJO) also saw a rise of 0.5%, reaching 7,182.10.

Standout Performances

Among the constituents of the Hang Seng Index, property managers company Country Garden Svcs (HK:6098) experienced the largest increase on Thursday with shares jumping by 10.4%. Real estate services/transactions firm Country Garden Holdings (HK:2007), as well as biotechnology services company Wuxi Biologics (Cayman) (HK:2269), also saw significant gains of 10.0% and 8.5% respectively.

On the other hand, portable power tools company Techtronic Industries (HK:669) experienced the largest decline in Hong Kong, with shares weakening by 2.4% on Thursday. Renewable energy generation firm China Resources Power (HK:836) and banking company Hang Seng Bank (HK:11) also saw modest declines of 1.1% and 0.4% respectively.

Among the constituents of the Nikkei 225 Index, steel production company Pacific Metals (JP:5541) experienced the largest increase on Thursday with shares growing by 5.1%. Semiconductors firm Tokyo Electron (JP:8035) and food products company Ajinomoto (JP:2802) also saw notable gains of 3.3% and 3.2% respectively.

However, life insurance company Dai-ichi Life Holdings (JP:8750) experienced the largest decrease on Thursday with shares falling by 1.3%. Petrochemicals firm Mitsui Chemicals (JP:4183) and chemicals company Kuraray Co Ltd (JP:3405) also saw declines of 1.2% each.