Asian Markets Struggle Thursday Morning

The financial markets and equity benchmarks, in the Asian and Pacific Rim, on Thursday struggled. Regional Asian stocks gave up gains to trade lower than turned marginally higher. Overnight, on Wall Street, there were strong corporate quarterly earnings.

Also in the headlines, the British Prime Minister survived a non-confidence vote in parliament. Asian traders are still worrying over the continued government shutdown in the United States and slowing economic activity in China.

As of 9:45 am Hong Kong time, in Japan, the Nikkei 225 had reversed gains of 0.3 percent to shed 0.25 percent. In Tokyo, the broader Topix index was up 0.22 percent.

The yen, which Forex traders consider a safe haven, was up against the dollar. The benchmark USD/JPY market was trading at 108.83. It was up from an earlier low of 109.12. This price point was hit earlier in the morning.

Across the Korean Strait, in South Korea, the benchmark Kospi composite index also reversed earlier gains to trade lower by mid-morning trade.

Other Asian Benchmarks Trade Mixed to Lower

In Australia, the benchmark S&P ASX 200 was flat this morning.

Looking at the benchmarks in China, they were mostly lower this morning. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index was down 0.1 percent.

On the mainland, in China, the Shanghai composite index was down 0.25 percent. The smaller Shenzhen composite was also down. The Shenzhen lost 0.4 percent. The Shenzhen component also fell nearly 0.4 percent.