Asia report: Markets finish mixed as dollar strengthens

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 lost just 0.01% to close at 23,629.34, as the yen weakened 0.17% against the dollar to last trade at JPY 108.76.

Among the winners in Tokyo were carmakers, energy plays and trading houses, with Toyota rising 0.46% by end-of-play.

Among the large caps on the downside were Fast Retailing and SoftBank, which lost 0.14% and 0.2% respectively.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite was down 0.97% at 3,523.50, and the smaller, technology-heavy Shenzhen Composite fell 1.56% to 1,919.80.

An opinion piece from an official at China’s National Development and Reform Commission weighed on sentiment, after they wrote that so-called ‘black swan’ - impossible to foresee - and ‘grey rhino’ - likely yet ignored - events were likely to occur in the country in 2018.

South Korea’s Kospi was ahead 0.91% at 2,598.19, while the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong lost 0.56% to settle at 32,966.89.

Samsung Electronics was among the leaders in Seoul, rising 0.87% ahead of its fourth quarter results due later in the week.

Its domestic rival in the chip making space, SK Hynix, was down 0.26%.

Oil prices slipped, with Brent crude last down 0.74% at a straight $70 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was off 0.35% to $65.91.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 added 0.42% to 6,075.40 after a three-day weekend due to the Australia Day holiday.

Most sectors returned positive results, with energy stocks and telecoms among the biggest risers, as Santos added 0.96%.

Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand’s S&P/NZX 50 rose 0.2% on light trading to 8,237.59, led higher by medical equipment manufacturer Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, which added 2.7%.

The down under dollars were both weaker on the greenback, with the Aussie last off 0.28% at AUD 1.2363 and the Kiwi retreating 0.43% to NZD 1.3647.