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.
Dame Judi Dench's tears as she receives Sycamore Gap tree seedling at Chelsea Flower Show
Judge blocks Biden administration from enforcing new gun sales background check rule in Texas
Amal Clooney played key role in ICC bid to request arrest warrants for Israeli PM and Hamas leader
This Week: Home sales, Fed meeting minutes and consumer sentiment index
Brewers starter Joe Ross leaves after first inning vs. Marlins with lower back strain
Hilarious moment mother asks her Cocker Spaniel to help choose her lottery numbers
Dali cargo ship is finally brought back to port
Digital technologies restore looks of 2,200
Ravens sign WR Qadir Ismail, the son of former NFL receiver Qadry Ismail
Tourism boosts China's social, economic development