FX.co ★ Asian indices show mostly positive performance

Asian indicators started the week showing mainly positive performance. The Shanghai Composite index and the Shenzhen Composite index rose by 0.38% and 0.51%, respectively. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained 0.14%, the S&P/ASX 200 index gained 0.43% and the KOSPI index jumped by 0.44%. Meanwhile, the Nikkei 225 index declined by 0.71%.

Companies released strong financial reports that supported the upward trend. Reports from Hyundai, Sony, and LG Electronics are expected this week. At the same time, investors are concerned about the growing number of new COVID-19 cases in China and the upcoming control and restrictive measures imposed by the government.

Notably, BYD Co. (+2.2), Geely Automobile Holdings, Ltd. (+1%), and Techtronic Industries Co. (+1,9%) stocks rose in price. Quotations of PetroChina Co., Ltd. rose by 1.8% due to an increase in oil prices, and HSBC Holdings PLC (HK Reg) increased by 1% due to its strong report.

The Evergrande Group, which was on the verge of bankruptcy not long ago, reported that it continued to build more than 10 facilities, resulting in a 4% increase in the company's stock. The Evergrande Group was about to agree to sell a controlling interest in its subsidiary, but the deal was not reached. Instead, it sold off some property, particularly real estate, for $570 million.

Following the Nikkei 225 index decline, Japan's companies' stocks also fell. The Lasertec Corp. stock dropped by 4.3%, Tokyo Electron, Ltd. declined by 1.6%, Advantest Corp. fell by 0.8%. Stocks of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., and SoftBank Group Corp. fell even more by 4.2% and 4.3%, respectively. Toyota Motor Corp, Mitsubishi Motors Corp., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and Mazda Motor Corp. also fell by 1.6%, 1.5%, 1.2%, and 2.1%, respectively.

At the same time, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. surged by 10.54%, Panasonic Corp. grew by 4.86%, and Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. increased by 4,1%. Tokyo Steel gained sharply by 16% on an improved outlook for the company's annual earnings and higher dividend estimates.

Following the KOSPI rise, stocks of SK Hynix Inc. rose by 2.5%, Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd. gained 1.7%, and Kia Corp. increased by 1.1%, while the Samsung Electronics stock slightly declined by 0.1%.

On the Australian stock exchange, shares of mining companies are growing more than others. The Mineral Resources Limited stock gained 9.3%. Origin Energy, Ltd. grew by 3.9% due to a considerable deal; the company sold 10% in the gas extraction project to EIG Global Energy Partners. Telstra Corp., Ltd. shares were up by 2.1% due to information about the company's purchase of Digicel Group's division using government support.