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Japan's stocks hurt by stronger yen on Thursday Japan's stocks hurt by stronger yen
(about 5 hours later)
Japan's benchmark Nikkei index was one of several stock markets to fall across Asia on Thursday, as the country's big exporters were hurt by a stronger yen. Japan's benchmark Nikkei index fell after stocks on Wall Street closed lower and with shares in major exporters hurt by a stronger yen.
The Nikkei 225 was down 0.96% at 19,115.48 in early trade, while the dollar weakened against the yen. The Nikkei 225 ended down 1.3% at 19,046.55, with the yen hitting one-month highs against the dollar.
A stronger yen hurts Japan's big exporters as it makes their products more expensive to buy overseas.A stronger yen hurts Japan's big exporters as it makes their products more expensive to buy overseas.
Australian stocks were down in early trade despite positive job numbers. Among the main carmakers, Honda fell 2.3%, Nissan dropped 1.1% while Toyota was down 0.7%.
The country's jobless rate came in at 5.8% in November, down from 5.9% the month before - the lowest reading since early last year. Australia's stock market also closed down despite positive job numbers.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics also said 71,400 new jobs were created for the month, against forecasts for a fall of 10,000. The Australian dollar rose more than 1% against the US dollar on the news. The country's jobless rate came in at 5.8% in November - down from 5.9% the month before and the lowest reading since early last year.
Sydney's S&P/ASX 200 was down 1.64% however at 4,998.10 points, with the country's big lenders dragging on the benchmark index. The Australian Bureau of Statistics also said 71,400 new jobs were created in the month, which was much better than expected. The Australian dollar rose more than 1% against the US dollar on the news.
Westpac and Commonwealth Bank were both down close to 2.5%, ANZ was down 2.35%, while National Australia Bank was the biggest loser, down more than 3%. However, Sydney's S&P/ASX 200 index closed down 0.8% at 5,037.7 after being dragged down by the so-called big four banks, which make up some 30% of Australia's stock market. Among the big four, Westpac closed down 2% while Commonwealth Bank fell 1.7%.
In China, investor sentiment was mixed, with the Shanghai Composite index up 0.41% at 3,486.91 , while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was flat, up just 0.05% at 21,813.12. In China, the Shanghai Composite index was down 0.6% at 3,450.85 in afternoon trade, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 0.2% to 21,755.62.
Korea's benchmark Kospi index was flat, down 0.07% at 1,946.28. The one bright spot in the region was South Korea's benchmark Kospi index, which closed up 0.2% at 1,952.07.
On Thursday, the country's central bank kept its benchmark lending rate at 1.5%.