US index futures for the three major indices edged down slightly, with DJIA futures slipping by less than 20 points. As markets monitor developments in Iran, major Asia-Pacific bourses were mixed today (19th). Singapore's Straits Times Index hit a record high, while Indonesia and S Korea stock indices each fell about 3%, underperforming the region. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index plunged 2.5% overnight (18th), weighing broadly on regional semiconductor shares today.In mainland China, the Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share markets opened lower but closed higher. The Shanghai Composite Index reversed losses to rise 38 points, or 0.9%, to 4,169, while the Shenzhen Component Index gained 39 points, or nearly 0.3%, to close at 15,569. Hong Kong stocks snapped a two-day losing streak. The HSI last stood at 25,839 in afternoon trading, up 164 points, or 0.6%, with turnover of HKD232.416 billion. Taiwan's market closed down 716 points, or nearly 1.8%, at 40,175. Precision electronics and semiconductor shares were under pressure. TSMC, UMC and Hon Hai fell 1.4% to 1.8%, Delta Electronics dropped 5.2%, and MediaTek slumped 7.2%.Related NewsUnemployment Rate for April in China is 5.2%, lower than the previous value of 5.4%. The forecast was 5.3%.Japan's preliminary 1QYY GDP rose 0.5% QoQ, beating expectations. The Nikkei Index closed down 265 points, or 0.4%, at 60,550. Fiber optic stock Fujikura tumbled 17%. Semiconductor shares were sold off, with Lasertec, Tokyo Electron and Renesas Electronics falling 4.3% to 5.6%.South Korea's KOSPI, after stabilizing with volatility the previous day, plunged again, closing down 244 points, or nearly 3.3%, at 7,271. Signs emerged of narrowing differences in labor negotiations between Samsung Electronics and its union. Samsung Electronics ended nearly 2% lower, while SK Hynix slid 5.2%. Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, said yields on US 10-year and 30-year Treasury bonds rose to about 4.6% and 5.1%, respectively. Overseas investors' risk appetite weakened, leading to nine consecutive days of net capital outflows from the KOSPI.Singapore shares rose 54 points, or 1.1%, to an intraday high of 5,051, a record level. Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp, United Overseas Bank and DBS Group each gained about 1.2%, while ST Engineering and Singtel rose 1.6% to 1.9%.Related NewsRetail Sales YoY for Apr in China is 0.2%, lower than the previous value of 1.7%. The forecast was 2%.Other major markets were mixed. The Reserve Bank of Australia signaled a pause in future rate hikes and is assessing the economic impact of the Iran conflict following the rate increase in early May. The S&P/ASX 200 and New Zealand's NZX 50 closed up 1.2% and 1.7%, respectively. India's Nifty 50 rose 0.3% to 23,708. Thailand's SET 50 gained 0.3%, Malaysia's KLCI edged up 0.1%. Vietnam's Hanoi Index and Ho Chi Minh Index fell 0.2% and 1.3%, respectively. The Philippines' PSEI dropped 0.8%. Indonesia's IDX extended losses, falling 3.5% to 6,366, marking another more-than-one-year low. (da/u)
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