Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as China keeps benchmark lending rates steady
A Chinese flag flies high over The Bund.
Liu Liqun | Corbis Documentary | Getty Images
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Monday as China’s central bank held rates at a time when the yuan has come under pressure due to Beijing-Washington trade tensions.
Mainland China’s CSI 300 rose 0.33% in its last hour of trade to end the day at 3,784.88, after the People’s Bank of China kept its key loan prime rates unchanged at 3.10% for 1-year loan maturities and 3.60% for 5-year loan maturities, in line with the expectations of economists polled by Reuters.
India’s benchmark Nifty 50 advanced 1.32% while the broader BSE Sensex added 1.35% as of 1.25 p.m. Indian Standard time.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 ended the day 1.30% lower at 34,279.92, while the broader Topix index declined 1.18% to 2,528.93.
In South Korea, the Kospi index moved up 0.2% in choppy trade to close at 2,488.42 while the small-cap Kosdaq fell 0.32% to 715.45.
Australian and Hong Kong markets were closed for the Easter holiday.
— CNBC’s Sean Conlon contributed to this report.
Source – Middle east monitor
