The main Asian indices in today's trading mostly show a decline. Thus, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index lost 0.59%, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 - 0.18%, South Korea's KOSPI indicator fell by 0.24%, and Japan's Nikkei 225 - by 0.35%. At the same time, the Chinese indicators Shanghai Composite and Shenzhen Composite showed an increase of 0.21% and 0.17%, respectively.
The indicators of the Asia-Pacific region show a decline due to the situation in the real estate market in China. It is known that the first company to have difficulties in this sector was Evergrande, which was on the verge of bankruptcy in early autumn. This week, another construction company, Kaisa Group Holdings, Ltd., reported on the difficulties. The company was unable to make payments on the bonds, which led to the suspension of trading in its securities on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Investors' attention was also attracted by statistics from China. Thus, the country's exports increased by 27.1% over the previous month, which was lower than the September increase of 28.1%, but higher than the expectations of experts who predicted an increase of only 24.5%. Imports also increased by 20.6% compared to 17.6% in September, although experts predicted 25%.
China's balance of payments reached record levels in the previous month and exceeded analysts' predictions. Thus, the positive balance of balance amounted to $84.54 billion compared to $57.32 billion achieved over the same period last year and the September level of $66.76 billion. At the same time, according to experts' forecasts, it should have amounted to only $62.74 billion.
The steady growth of exports to China is caused by the high demand for Chinese goods in preparation for the upcoming New Year and Christmas holidays, as well as the softening of the situation with energy resources.
Nevertheless, previously introduced measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country may suspend the development of both the industrial and consumer sectors. This, in turn, introduces uncertainty into the future growth of the PRC economy.
At the same time, statistical information from Japan indicates a decline in business activity in the country. The indicator of leading economic indicators in September decreased to the lowest level since the beginning of the year at 99.7 points compared to the August indicator of 101.3 points.
Against the background of a slowdown in economic activity, the value of shares of Japanese companies is falling: Sony Group Corp. securities. fell by 0.5%, Panasonic Corp. - by 0.6%, Toyota Motor Corp. - by 0.2%, Fast Retailing Co– - by 1.7%.
The share price of the Chinese developer Evergrande fell by 1.3%.
Securities of the Australian BHP Group rose by 0.8% due to the company's announcement of a major deal for the sale of coal assets.
The material has been provided by InstaForex Company - www.instaforex.com