Most of the Asian equity indices are trading mixed in the early deals on Monday, with investors indulging in some selective buying. With Wall Street closing flat on Thursday, the mood is quite cautious in the Asian region, where some of the markets are closed for Easter holidays. The health-care stocks declined while mobile carriers stocks improved in the region. The Japanese market is trading higher with a weaker yen triggering some buying in exporters as the country posted a wider-than-estimated trade deficit. Improvement in mining and oil sector shares too contributed to the upside. Japan's trade deficit came in at 1.45 trillion yen in March. Exports growth slowed sharply in the month, rising just 1.8% from a year earlier, after rising 9.8% in February. Imports were up 18.1% on year, higher than forecasts. Among other markets in the Asia-Pacific region, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia are trading higher, while Shanghai, South Korea and Taiwan are trading weak.
Jakarta Composite increased by 7.66 points or 0.16% to 4,904.71, KLSE Composite advanced 9.54 points or 0.51% to 1,862.23, Nikkei 225 soared 55.64 points or 0.38% to 14,571.91 and Straits Times was up by 3.92 points or 0.12% to 3,257.12.
On the flip side, Shanghai Composite slipped by 5.65 points or 0.27% to 2,092.10, Seoul Composite dropped 10.09 points or 0.50% to 1,994.19 and Taiwan Weighted was down by 14.76 points or 0.16% to 8,951.90.
Hong Kong market remained shut for the trade today for Easter holidays.