Stocks in Asia-Pacific Rise

Japanese shares decline for the third day

Japanese shares declined for the third consecutive day. However, stocks in the Asia-Pacific region mostly rose on Thursday, Jan. 18.

Hong Kong and Chinese stocks see gains

The Hang Seng Index (HSI) of Hong Kong companies rose by 0.8%, reaching 15,391.79. Meanwhile, the Shanghai Composite Index of Chinese companies gained 0.4%, closing at 2,845.78.

Mixed performance in other markets

Japan's Nikkei 225 Index remained flat at 35,466.17. Singapore's FTSE Straits Times Index weakened by 0.1%, while South Korea's KOSPI Composite Index and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Benchmark Index both saw modest gains.

Notable stock movements

Among the Hang Seng Index constituents, marine transport company Orient Overseas Intl had the largest increase, with shares rising by 5.2%. Shares of renewable energy equipment firm Xinyi Solar Holdings and pharmaceuticals company Sino Biopharmaceutical also saw notable gains.

Conversely, shares of meat processing company WH Group experienced the largest drop in Hong Kong, declining by 2.5%. E-tailing firm JD.com and food products company Tingyi Cayman Islands also witnessed decreases in their stock prices.

Within the Nikkei 225 Index constituents, semiconductors company Advantest Corp showed the highest increase, with shares rising by 3.7%. Meanwhile, games software firm Konami Group and electrical components/equipment company Fuji Electric also experienced notable gains.

However, games software company NEXON saw the largest decline among the Nikkei 225 Index constituents, with shares falling by 5.5%. Chemicals firms Resonac Holdings and Sumitomo Chemical also saw decreases in their stock prices.