Asian markets made a mixed closing on Thursday

Asian equity markets showed mixed performance on Thursday after US shares were pulled down overnight by a sell-off in energy companies, due to lower oil prices and some disappointment over the New Zealand central bank’s interest rate cut. Investors awaited Friday’s US retail sales report to find out whether the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year. China is also set to release data on industrial production, retail sales and fixed asset investment on Friday, with investors waiting to see if recent stabilization will continue into the second half of the year. Regional volumes were affected by the closure of Japan’s stock exchange for a holiday. Chinese shares closed lower despite gains in the financial sector after a conglomerate increased its stake in New China Life Insurance. Meanwhile, Hong Kong shares climbed to an eight-month closing high, as a further decline in global bond yields increased the appeal of blue-chips listed in the city.