FX.co ★ Asian stock markets show positive sentiment

Asian stocks are showing positive sentiment in Thursday's trading. Thus, the Chinese Shanghai Composite and Shenzhen Composite indices added 0.73% and 0.51%, respectively, while Hong Kong Hang Seng Index increased slightly less by 0.48%. The biggest growth was demonstrated by the Japanese Nikkei 225 index, which increased by 1.22%. The Australian S&P/ASX 200 index rose by 0.65%, while the Korean KOSPI index gained only 0.06%.

Investor optimism was boosted by a 1-2% increase in major US indicators.

The South Korean central bank decided to raise its interest rate by 25 points to 1.5 percent in order to combat rising inflation. This did not quite match the forecasts of some experts, who had expected a rate hike next month rather than this month. According to statistics, price growth last month in the country was 4.1%.

At the same time, the Central Bank of China plans, on the contrary, to reduce its interest rates, as well as reduce reserve requirements. Such measures should contribute to the growth and economic recovery after another spike in COVID-19 cases.

Among the companies on the Hang Seng Index, Haidilao International Holding, Ltd. added 7%, Xpeng Inc. increased by 6.5%, BYD Co. jumped by 4.9%, and Geely Automobile Holdings, Ltd. soared by 4,6%. Shares of Sands China, Ltd. gained 4.3%, and Li Ning Co. rose by 3%.

Among the constituents of the Nikkei 225 index, Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings Inc. skyrocketed by 9%, Toho Zinc Co. increased by 7.1%, Pacific Metals Co. gained 5.7%, and Shionogi & Co. jumped by 5,5%.

Other Japanese companies showed less significant growth: the value of Toyota Motor Corp. securities grew only by 0.3%, stock quotes of SoftBank Group Corp. added 3%, Fast Retailing Co. - by 2%, and Toshiba Corp. - by 1,3%.

The companies in the KOSPI index did not demonstrate such significant growth as others. Thus, LG Corp. grew by only 0.13%, while Samsung Electronics Co. shares declined by 1.5%, Kia Corp. shares declined by 0.6%, and Hyundai Motor Co, Ltd. dropped by 2%.

Among the constituents of the S&P/ASX 200 index, Qantas Airways, Ltd. added 7.5%, Webjet, Ltd. gained 6.7%, and Paladin Energy, Ltd. soared by 6,4%.

At the same time, the value of securities of the country's largest companies - BHP Group, Ltd. and Rio Tinto, Ltd. - showed a much smaller increase of 1.5% and 0.1% respectively.

Following the weak results of the published statements, the share price of the Bank of Queensland, Ltd. fell by 6%.