Asia-Pacific equities opened mixed with investors digesting weaker-than-expected GDP data from Japan and bracing for a fresh wave of regional economic indicators.
Japan’s economy contracted an annualized 0.7% for Jan-March, worse than the 0.2% decline forecast by economists surveyed by Reuters.
The Nikkei 225 (^N225) edged down 0.5% following the drop in GDP.
South Korea’s Kospi (^KS11) traded flat despite a semiconductor boon in the region.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 (^AXJO) advanced 0.8%, buoyed by strength in the mining sector as iron ore prices held firm above $120/ton.
In Hong Kong the Hang Seng Index (^HSI) opened 200 or 0.9% down from previous close as sentiment remains cautious ahead of China’s monthly activity data due next week.