Asia-Pacific markets fell in light trading on Tuesday, with some major indexes closed for the New Year’s holiday and others closing early.
The Shanghai Composite SHCOMP, -0.06% slipped 0.1% while the Shenzhen Composite 399106, +0.26% rose 0.2% after data showed China’s factory activity continued to expand for a second straight month in December, following six months of contraction.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index HSI, -0.46% fell 0.5% ahead of an early close. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 XJO, -1.78% was also set to close early, posting steeper losses of 1.6%. Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s Kospi were closed.
Among individual stocks, AAC 2018, +1.80% and PetroChina 857, +0.26% gained in Hong Kong, while Tencent 700, -1.98% and Wharf Real Estate 1997, +0.11% fell. Beach Energy BPT, -1.95% , BHP BHP, -1.27% and Commonwealth Bank CBA, -1.48% slid in Australia as a heat wave and wildfires continued to grip the country.
On Monday, U.S. stock indexes logged their worst declines in about four weeks, despite optimism over an initial trade pact with China that may be signed soon.
U.S. markets — with the exception of the bond market — will be open for a full day of trading Tuesday, and most major global markets will close Wednesday for New Year’s Day.
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