Asian Markets Mixed, with Gains Led by Japan

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index climbed 1.7% to 50,705.76 on expectations that the US Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate next week, even as traders speculate whether the Bank of Japan (BOJ) will raise interest rates this month, Reuters reported.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index reversed early losses, adding 0.2% to 25,816.50, led by gains in tech and consumer stocks.

Technology and telecoms conglomerate SoftBank Group Corp.’s shares jumped 8.8%. The government’s 10-year bond yield also rose above 1.9%, its highest since 2007.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index reversed early losses, adding 0.2% to 25,816.50, led by gains in tech and consumer stocks. The Shanghai Composite index edged up less than 0.1% to 3,879.52.

South Korea’s Kospi index fell 0.7% to 4,008.22, weighed down by weakness in tech and automotive shares.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index recovered from an earlier slump, adding less than 0.1% to 8,603.20. Taiwan’s Taiex index slipped nearly 0.3%, Rian Howlett also reported for Yahoo Finance.