Asian markets trade mixed, Japan gains while Korea slips

Asian equities moved in different directions on Thursday, November 12, as Japan posted gains while South Korea and Australia weakened. Mettis Global reported that the Nikkei 225 rose modestly during uneven trading, and the Topix finished 0.62% higher. South Korea’s Kospi lost 0.35%, with the Kosdaq down 0.66%.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.31%, while futures pointed to an uneven opening elsewhere. Nikkei 225 futures were quoted at 61,760 in Chicago and 62,020 in Osaka, against the index’s earlier finish at 61,248.59; Hang Seng futures were at 24,107, versus the Hong Kong index’s 24,315.92 close. Nvidia also weighed on investor mood: its shares dropped more than 9% in after-hours dealings after reports raised the prospect of a leadership change involving CEO Jensen Huang.