Stocks in the Asia-Pacific Region

Stocks in the Asia-Pacific region showed mostly positive performance on Friday, December 15. The Hong Kong market experienced a second consecutive session of gains.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (HSI) recorded a significant increase of 2.4%, reaching 16,792.19.

Japan's Nikkei 225 Index

Japan's Nikkei 225 Index (NIK) also saw positive movement, gaining 0.9% and reaching a value of 32,970.55.

China's Shanghai Composite Index

However, China's Shanghai Composite Index (SHCOMP) saw a decline of 0.6%, closing at 2,942.56.

Singapore's FTSE Straits Times Index

The FTSE Straits Times Index (STI) of Singapore stocks weakened by 0.3%, ending at 3,112.34.

South Korea's KOSPI Composite Index

South Korea's KOSPI Composite Index demonstrated strength, gaining 0.8% and reaching a value of 2,563.56.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Benchmark Index

The S&P/ASX 200 Benchmark Index of Australian stocks experienced a positive movement of 0.9%, closing at 7,442.70.

Notable Performances

Among the constituents of the Hang Seng Index, marine transport company Orient Overseas Intl saw the largest increase on Friday, with shares rising by an impressive 9.4%.

Other notable performances include shares of etailing firm JD.com and renewable energy equipment company Xinyi Solar Holdings. Both companies saw their shares rise by 7.0% and 6.8% respectively.

In contrast, shares of optical instruments company Sunny Optical Technology saw the largest drop in Hong Kong, with shares declining by 2.0% on Friday.

Meanwhile, shares of mobile telecommunications firm China Unicom (Hong Kong) and computers/consumer electronics company Lenovo Group declined by 1.2% and 0.6% respectively.

Among the constituents of the Nikkei 225 Index, marine transport company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines experienced the largest increase on Friday, with shares rising by 7.1%.

Other notable performances include shares of marine freight firm Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha and industrial electrical equipment company Yaskawa Electric. Both companies saw their shares rise by 6.9% and 6.8% respectively.

On the other hand, pharmaceuticals company Sumitomo Pharma saw the largest decline on Friday, with shares falling by 9.0%.

Additionally, shares of food products firm Nisshin Seifun Group and mixed retailing company Seven & I Holdings fell by 4.9% and 3.6% respectively in Japan.