Investing.com - Asian Pacific markets opened in a mixed fashion on Wednesday, following a mixed performance among US benchmark averages as investors anticipate fresh inflation data.
By 10:30 am AEST (12:30 am GMT) the S&P/ASX 200 added 0.4%, the Nikkei 225 declined 0.5% while the KOSPI 200 remained closed for a public holiday.
US indices saw a mixed day of trading, with the S&P 500 adding 0.1%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell less than 0.1%, and the tech-heavy NASDAQ Composite gained 0.3%.
In the commodities market, Brent crude oil saw a decrease of 0.9% to US$89.58 a barrel, while gold marginally dropped by 0.01% to US$2,352.50.
In local bond markets, the yield on Australian 2 Year government bonds fell to 3.77%, while the 10 Year yield also decreased to 4.17%. US Treasury notes saw a decline, with the 2 Year yield at 4.74% and the 10 Year yield at 4.36%.
In Asia, Chinese shares closed slightly higher, with investors focusing on China's upcoming inflation data. Lithium stocks, including Ganfeng Lithium and Tianqi Lithium, saw significant gains. However, bank stocks such as Agricultural Bank of China and Bank of China recorded losses.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose by 0.6%, led by manufacturing stocks. Japanese stocks also ended higher, led by gains in electronics and real estate stocks. The Nikkei Stock Average rose by 1.1% to 39773.13.
Indian shares closed slightly lower despite hitting a record intraday high earlier in the session. Financial sector gains were offset by losses in energy shares.
In Europe, the Stoxx Europe 600 and Germany's DAX recorded losses, while the U.K.'s FTSE 100 index rose by 0.2% to 7957.612, helped by gains in BP (LON:BP) and mining stocks.