Asian market indices are exhibiting a mixed trend in early deals on Thursday, as investors are cautious as they awaited US tax reform developments. Japan's Nikkei index bounced back after falling in the previous session with automakers, technological and financial stocks marking major bounce back, while energy-related stocks were mixed after oil prices slid on Wednesday. Among the other Asian markets, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Japan are in positive territory. Bucking the trend, China, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan exhibit a downward trend.
Nikkei 225 gained 251.29 points or 1.13% to 22,428.33, FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI rose by 2.47 points or 0.39% to 3,383.80 and Hang Seng was up by 1.57 points or 0.01% to 28,226.37.
On the flip side, Jakarta Composite dipped by 9.03 points or 0.15% to 6,026.47, Taiwan Weighted lower 36.11 points or 0.35% to 10,357.81, Shanghai Composite dripped 20.49 points or 0.62% to 3,273.47, Straits Times weakened 13.41 points or 0.62% to 3,416.75 and KOSPI Index declined by 28.23 points or 1.12% to 2,481.89.