Investing.com – Asian stock markets were mixed on Thursday, as concerns over Japan’s ongoing nuclear crisis weighed on shares in Tokyo, while commodity-linked shares lifted other markets in the region.
During late Asian trade, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 0.75%, South Korea's Kospi Composite jumped 1.2%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 shed 0.15%.
Tokyo Electric Power Co., operator of the stricken Fukushima Daiichi power plant, saw shares plunge 14% after it said three plant workers were taken to the hospital earlier in the day after being severely exposed to nuclear radiation at the site.
Meanwhile, Japan’s largest automaker Toyota saw shares slump 2.7% after it said it would halt production at some of its factories in the U.S. due to shortage of parts. Shares in rival Honda sank 2.6%, while Nissan plunged 4.5% after extending production halts at its Japanese factories until March 27.
However, Japan’s biggest cement maker Taiheiyo Cement saw shares leap 5.2%, amid expectations rebuilding efforts to the country would boost revenue. Shares in the nation’s second largest construction company Daito Trust Construction saw shares climb 2.6%, while rival Kajima Corp. added 1%.
In Hong Kong, oil and gas giant Cnooc saw shares jump 1.95% after it said 2010 net income soared by 85% from a year earlier to USD8.03 billion, driven by higher crude oil output and increasing prices.
Elsewhere, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index closed 1% higher as shares in the commodity sector led gains after metal prices advanced. Mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto both saw shares rise 1.5%, while shares in gold producer Newcrest Mining jumped 2.65%.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to publish official data on durable goods orders as well as a report on initial jobless claims.
During late Asian trade, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 0.75%, South Korea's Kospi Composite jumped 1.2%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 shed 0.15%.
Tokyo Electric Power Co., operator of the stricken Fukushima Daiichi power plant, saw shares plunge 14% after it said three plant workers were taken to the hospital earlier in the day after being severely exposed to nuclear radiation at the site.
Meanwhile, Japan’s largest automaker Toyota saw shares slump 2.7% after it said it would halt production at some of its factories in the U.S. due to shortage of parts. Shares in rival Honda sank 2.6%, while Nissan plunged 4.5% after extending production halts at its Japanese factories until March 27.
However, Japan’s biggest cement maker Taiheiyo Cement saw shares leap 5.2%, amid expectations rebuilding efforts to the country would boost revenue. Shares in the nation’s second largest construction company Daito Trust Construction saw shares climb 2.6%, while rival Kajima Corp. added 1%.
In Hong Kong, oil and gas giant Cnooc saw shares jump 1.95% after it said 2010 net income soared by 85% from a year earlier to USD8.03 billion, driven by higher crude oil output and increasing prices.
Elsewhere, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index closed 1% higher as shares in the commodity sector led gains after metal prices advanced. Mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto both saw shares rise 1.5%, while shares in gold producer Newcrest Mining jumped 2.65%.
Later in the day, the U.S. was to publish official data on durable goods orders as well as a report on initial jobless claims.