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.
Massachusetts House launches budget debate, including proposed spending on shelters, public transit
GoFundMe expands into Mexico as part of for
US women's soccer to play Olympic send
Analysis: Golf has two dominant forces in Scheffler and Korda. It didn't happen overnight
Two Premier League stars, both 19, arrested in a rape probe are 'suspended by their club'
Google fires more workers who protested its deal with Israel
Canadian police charge 2 former UN employees with conspiracy to sell military equipment in Libya
Housing crisis laid bare as couple turn disused bus stop into a temporary home
Attempt to expedite ethics probe of Minnesota state senator charged with burglary fails on tie vote
'Challengers' review: Prepare to get hot and bothered
Jelly Roll hits the gym amid his plans to lose 250lbs
Armenia and Azerbaijan move closer to normalizing ties as the first border marker goes up