Asia-Pacific Stocks Climb; Central Bank Meetings in Focus

On Monday, Asia-Pacific stocks mostly traded higher as markets focused on this week’s central bank meetings that could hint at the end of the US policy stimulus.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index advanced 0.99% or 237.84 points to $24,233.56 per share. 

Correspondingly, engineering services firm Xinyi Solar Holdings rocketed 6.43% or 0.12 points to 1.95. 

Likewise, highly valued Chinese tech companies posted considerable gains in the Asia-Pacific stocks. 

For instance, food delivery business Meituan jumped 4.44% or 1.38 points to $32.54 per share. 

Similarly, e-commerce giant Alibaba elevated 3.05% or 0.47 points to $16.04 per share. 

Also, video gaming company Tencent increased 2.55% or 0.33 points to $60.91 per share. 

In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite index strengthened 0.72% or 26.34 points to $3,692.69 per share. 

Consequently, China Aluminum International Engineering Corp. rocketed 10.04% or 0.07 points to $0.79 per share. 

Likewise, financial firm Anhui Xinli surged 10.02% or 0.20 points to $14.05 per share. 

Subsequently, the benchmark Shenzhen Component enhanced 0.88% or 132.85 points to $15,244.41 per share.

The upturn of Chinese stocks benefited from the rising hopes for more stimulus after Beijing’s recent loosening of bank reserve requirements.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s KOSPI opposed the trend of Asia-Pacific stocks. It declined 0.06% or 1.68 points to $3,008.55 per share. 

Elsewhere, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index grew 0.35% or 25.80 points to $7,379.30 per share. 

At the same time, New Zealand’s S&P/NZX 50 index widened 1.12% or 144.51 points to $12,994.19 per share. 

Moreover, investors looked forward to the US Federal Reserve’s policy decision on Wednesday.

Accordingly, the Fed is among the 20 central banks with scheduled meetings this week. The group also includes the European Central Bank, the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan.

Japanese Shares Up as Asia-Pacific Stocks Gain

Accordingly, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index improved 0.86% or 243.55 to $28,681.32 per share. 

At the top of the index, the marine transportation company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha boosted 3.22% or 1.94 points to $62.19 per share. 

Similarly, digital advertising firm CyberAgent amplified 2.57% or 0.44 points to $17.92 per share. 

Then, the broader TOPIX index rose 0.40% or 8.00 points to $1,983.48 per share. 

Consequently, video game publisher Bandai Namco soared 2.90% or 2.30 points to $81.48 per share. 

Semiconductor manufacturer Lasertec also edged up 2.78% or 840.00 points to $31,050.00 per share. 

Furthermore, the MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific stocks outside Japan amplified 0.21% or 1.34 points to $634.11 per share.