The Asian markets have made mostly a weak start of the new week, reacting negatively to the development during the weekend. As, the geopolitical worries flared up, after North Korea tested a nuclear bomb on Sunday and US President Trump threatened to increase economic sanctions and halt trade with any nation doing business with Kim Jong Un’s regime. Japanese market was leading the losers pack as the yen gained ground after North Korea carried out its sixth and most powerful nuclear test and after the release of disappointing U.S. jobs report. Chinese shares were little changed in choppy trade, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was down nearly half a percent at 27,809 after hitting a two-year high last week.
Nikkei 225 slumped by 198.3 points or 1.01% to 19,493.17, Hang Seng declined by 143.62 points or 0.51% to 27,809.54, Jakarta Composite was down by 25.98 points or 0.44% to 5,838.08, KOSPI Index was lower by19.42 points or 0.82% to 2,338.27 and Taiwan Weighted decreased by 6 points or 0.06% to 10,588.82.
On the other hand, Shanghai Composite was up by 4.66 points or 0.14% to 3,371.78 and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI increased by 12.02 points or 0.68% to 1,773.16.