Stocks in the Asia-Pacific region mostly rose on Thursday, December 21st. The Hang Seng Index of Hong Kong companies remained flat at 16,621.13, while the Nikkei 225 Index of Japanese companies weakened by 1.6% to 33,140.47.
Chinese and Singaporean Markets Perform Well
The Shanghai Composite Index of Chinese companies gained 0.6% to 2,918.71, and Singapore’s FTSE Straits Times Index also saw a gain of 0.2% to 3,113.99. However, the KOSPI Composite Index of South Korean stocks weakened by 0.5% to 2,600.02, while the S&P/ASX 200 Benchmark Index of Australian stocks declined by 0.4% to 7,504.10.
Standout Performances in Hong Kong
Within the Hang Seng Index constituents, gas utilities company ENN Energy Holdings saw the largest increase on Thursday with shares adding 4.6%. Shares of commercial/industrial real estate firm Wharf Real Estate Invt and renewable energy equipment company Xinyi Solar Holdings also performed well, increasing by 4.0% and 3.6% respectively.
On the other hand, shares of pharmaceuticals company Hansoh Pharmaceutical saw the largest decrease in Hong Kong, as shares tumbled by 11.2% on Thursday. Additionally, shares of alternative fuel vehicles firm Li Auto and portable power tools company Techtronic Industries fell by 4.9% and 2.4%, respectively.
Notable Changes in the Nikkei 225 Index
Among the Nikkei 225 Index constituents, marine freight company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha saw the largest increase on Thursday with shares rising by 3.8%. Shares of marine transport firm Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and cosmetics/toiletries company Shiseido also saw gains, increasing by 2.5% and 2.4%, respectively.
Conversely, shares of printing company Toppan Holdings experienced the largest drop on Thursday, as shares fell by 5.1%. Shares of passenger car firms Mazda Motor and Toyota Motor weakened as well, declining by 4.1% and 4.0%, respectively.
