Japan and South Korea markets started the last trading week of 2023 on a positive note with the Nikkei 225 all set to emerge as the region’s top performer this year, but China stocks continued to slide.
Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong markets were closed for Boxing Day holiday.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.16% to close at 33,305.85. It has gained more than 27% so far this year.
The broader Topix climbed marginally to end at 2,338.86.
China’s CSI 300 index closed 0.68% lower at 3,324.79, dragged down by declines in technology and real estate stocks. The index has lost over 14% this year.
South Korea’s Kospi climbed 0.12% to 2,602.59, while the small-cap Kosdaq fell 0.73% to close at 848.34.
The Topix has gained 23.5% so far this year, while the Kospi has advanced 16.2%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index has been the worst performer of 2023, down about 17.4%.
Source: CNBC
