Asian stock markets traded on a mixed note in early trade on May 26, as gains in South Korea and Hong Kong were offset by weakness in Japan, China, and Australia.
South Korea’s KOSPI emerged as the top performer among major regional indices, rising 3.11% to 8,091.75. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index also traded higher, gaining 0.27% to 25,674.91.
The SGX-CNBC China Growth index advanced 1.16% to 1,727.855, indicating positive sentiment in select China-linked growth counters.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei index declined 0.42% to 64,887.43 in early trade. Australia’s ASX 200 also traded lower, falling 0.49% to 8,649.
Chinese equities remained under pressure, with the Shanghai Composite slipping 0.44% to 4,134.342, while the Shenzhen index edged down 0.04% to 15,851.12.
Elsewhere in the region, New Zealand’s NZX 50 gained 0.31% to 13,010.77. Singapore’s STI index fell 0.13% to 5,063.72, while Malaysia’s benchmark index slipped 0.11% to 1,706.55.
Taiwan markets also traded marginally lower, with the index down 0.06% at 43,618.47.