Nikkei Hikes as BoJ Rates Steady

Asia-Pacific markets mostly fell Thursday as investors assessed the Bank of Japan’s decision to stand pat on short-term interest rates at 0.5% for the fourth consecutive time, in line with expectations. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 regained 415.12 points, or 1%, to 41,069.82. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng dumped 403.60 points, or 1.6%, to 24,773.33. Investors are also evaluating the U.S.' blanket 15% tariffs on imports from South Korea and 25% duties on imports from India, along with an unspecified “penalty.” The Japanese yen appreciated while yields on government bonds climbed after the BoJ held interest rates Shares of South Korean auto stocks fell after U.S. President Donald Trump slashed tariffs to 15% Samsung Electronics shares rose after second-quarter profits missed expectations Nissan Motor shares surged following $530 million operating loss in first fiscal quarter Shares of Hanwha Ocean surged as much as 16.06% on Thursday to their highest levels since July 2015, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a blanket 15% tariff on Seoul’s exports to the U.S. In other markets In Shanghai, the CSI 300 let go of 75.65 points, or 1.8%, to 4,075.59 In Korea, the Kospi index subtracted 9.03 points, or 0.3%, to 3,245.44. In Singapore, the Straits Times index dropped 45.64 points, or 1.1%, to 4,173.77. In Taiwan, the Taiex index climbed 80.8 points, or 0.3%, to 23,542.52. In New Zealand, the NZX 50 lost 32.22 points, or 0.3%, to 12,823.75. In Australia, the ASX 200 fell 13.52 points, or 0.2%, to 8,742.84.