7:45AM Asian markets closed mixed.
Asian-Pacific benchmarks closed mixed with the Nikkei reversing from yesterday’s advance to finish down 0.2% to 17,317.53. The Japanese index was dragged down by new record-high oil prices which hurt energy-sensitive stocks like Oji Paper which dropped 2%. Banking stocks also stood out among losers, ending a winning streak earlier in the week with Mizuho Financial Group falling 1.3%. In addition, economic data showing that trade surplus fell for the first time in four years further weighed. However, strong commodities stocks helped limit losses with Nippon Mining Holdings fell 1.35. Across the region, South Korea’s Kospi dropped 0.4%, Singapore Straits Times lost 0.3$, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.1% on metals stocks.