TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares mostly declined Thursday as investors awaited a flood of global earnings reports, including updates from U.S. tech companies known as the “Magnificent Seven.”
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 slid 2.1% to 37,670.50. South Korea’s Kospi dropped 1.4% to 2,637.18. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained nearly 0.1% to 17,215.51, while the Shanghai Composite was virtually unchanged at 3,044.41.
Trading was closed in Australia for a national holiday, Anzac Day.
Attention is also turning to the Bank of Japan, whose two-day monetary policy meeting started Thursday.
“For the record, heading into tomorrow’s policy decision, exceptional Japanese yen weakness is the agitated elephant in the room for the BOJ,” Tan Jing Yi of Mizuho Bank said in a commentary.
In currency trading, the U.S. dollar rose to 155.67 Japanese yen from 155.31 yen. The euro cost $1.0715, up from $1.0697.
China completes selection of about 38,000 local gov't special bond projects
The Civil War raged and fortune
Nobel winner cherishes hometown memories
Canada announces 15 participants in NATO defence innovation hub
Lightning and Islanders searching for answers to rebound from 2
Farmers create vibrant scenes of spring farming in SW China's Sichuan
Nobel winner cherishes hometown memories
SW China's Guizhou awash in fragrant spring blossoms
PGA Tour players learn how much loyalty is worth in new equity program
Nyingchi greets peach blossoms
Maine sheriff's fate rests with governor after commissioners call for his firing
Robert Downey Jr. poses with glamorous wife Susan as they join A