Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Wednesday, following declines on Wall Street after a sell-off in technology stocks picked up pace.
Japanese markets were in focus for investors. The Bank of Japan held interest rates steady at 0.5%, in line with expectations, as the central bank weighed the potential impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 lost 0.25% in choppy trade to end the day at 37,751.88, while the broader Topix index increased 0.45% to 2,795.96.
Over in South Korea, the Kospi index advanced 0.62% to close at 2,628.62 while the small-cap Kosdaq fell 0.96% to 738.35.
Mainland China’s CSI 300 closed flat at 4,010.17 while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was flat in its last hour.
India’s benchmark Nifty 50 rose 0.39% while the broader BSE Sensex picked up 0.28% as at 1.15 p.m. local time.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 ended the day 0.41% lower at 7,828.30.
Gold prices hit a record high, with the precious metal trading at $3,039.12 at 3.45 p.m. Singapore time.
