Bad news for the Nikkei in Tokyo on Monday with it hitting the lowest level in a month and trading light, potentially due to world cup fever. Technology stocks were mainly to blame. Seoul's markets rose during the day, as did markets in Taiwan, New Zealand and Singapore. Hong Kong markets closed at its starting level. Australian markets were closed for the holidays.
Tuesday was a better day for the Nikkei, gaining almost 1%. Stocks in Hong Kong fell with investors waiting for the Government's announcement on sales of the local Tracker Fund. Markets in Seoul also rose but fell in Taiwan and Singapore. Markets in Australia fell and New Zealand rose.
Wednesday was another bad day for the Nikkei in Tokyo, again losing on the back of technology stocks. News from the Bank of Japan was to leave interest rates alone, trying to help the ailing economy along. Hong Kong and Taiwan markets also slid. The Kospi in South Korea managed a gain for the day and the All Ordinaries Index in Australia ended flat. New Zealand closed down.
Thursday made it worse for the Nikkei, leaving the market at a low not seen in eight weeks. The Weighted Index in Taiwan rocketed up 3% after hitting the lows of yesterday. Hong Kong markets were flat and South Korea's Kospi was closed for election day. In Singapore, the Straits Times closed down, as did the Australian All Ordinaries. New Zealand's NZ Top 40 managed a small gain.
Friday topped the bill for the Nikkei in Tokyo. It managed a low close not seen for 3 months. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong closed down for the day, as did markets in Singapore and Seoul. The Weighted Index in Taiwan closed flat for the day. Australia's All Ordinaries Index closed at its lowest level for 6 months whilst the NZ Top 40 in New Zealand managed a slight gain.