The Asia-Pacific region witnessed mostly positive market movements on Thursday, Aug. 3. While shares in Japan experienced a decline for the second consecutive session, the Hong Kong market faced a downturn for three consecutive sessions.
Japan and Hong Kong Markets
The Hang Seng Index (HSI) of Hong Kong companies dropped by 0.5% to 19,420.87. Similarly, the Nikkei 225 Index of Japanese companies fell by 1.7% to 32,159.28.
Other Notable Market Movements
- China's Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.6% to 3,280.46.
- Singapore's FTSE Straits Times Index declined by 0.7% to 3,301.52.
- South Korea's KOSPI Composite Index fell by 0.4% to 2,605.39.
- Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Benchmark Index fell by 0.6% to 7,311.70.
Noteworthy Declines in the Nikkei 225 Index
Within the Nikkei 225 Index constituents, Thursday saw musical instrument company Yamaha experience the largest drop as shares tumbled by 14.6%. Passive components firm TDK Corp. and turbines company NTN also faced significant declines, falling by 10.2% and 8.8% respectively.
Noteworthy Increases in Japan
On the other hand, marine transport company Nippon Yusen witnessed the largest increase on Thursday, with shares rising by 7.2%. Marine freight firm Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha and rail passenger transport company Keio also experienced gains, rising by 4.1% and 3.6% respectively.
Notable Movements within the Hang Seng Index
Among the Hang Seng Index constituents, brewing company Budweiser Brewing APAC saw the largest drop in Hong Kong, as shares weakened by 4.1% on Thursday. Property managers firm Country Garden Svcs and integrated oil/gas company PetroChina also faced declines, falling by 2.5% and 2.1% respectively.
On the other hand, portable power tools company Techtronic Industries witnessed the largest increase in Hong Kong, with shares adding 4.2%. Biotechnology services firm Wuxi Biologics (Cayman) and renewable energy equipment company Xinyi Solar Holdings also experienced notable increases, rising by 3.4% and 3.1% respectively.
