Asia report: Stocks mixed with few markets in region open

Markets in Asia finished mixed on Friday, after a day of light trading with a number of bourses closes for the Lunar New Year holiday.

Traders were enjoying a day away from the office in China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia and Vietnam.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 was ahead 1.19% at 21,720.25, as the yen weakened 0.06% against the dollar to last trade at JPY 106.19.

Utility plays were among the winners of the day, with Chubu Electric Power up 6.52% and Kansai Electric Power rising 5.89%.

Japanese beer giant Sapporo Holdings was down 2.81%, after it reported a 16% fall in its operating profit for 2017.

Second-hand car seller Idom was up 2.37%, amid media reports it was considering a partnership with minicab app operator Uber in Africa.

Bank of Japan governor Haruhiko Kuroda was reappointed for another five year term by prime minister Shinzo Abe, indicating that the country’s current approach to stimulating the economy would continue.

Oil prices were higher, with Brent crude last up 0.68% at $64.77 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate ahead 0.21% at $61.47.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.08% at 5,904.00, with manganese miner South32 weighing on the broader benchmark.

The company was off 5.1%, even though it had reported relatively strong first half numbers on Thursday.

Healthcare plays were among the biggest gainers in Sydney, with private hospital group Healthscope surging 6.46% amid rumours it was preparing a sale of its pathology division in Asia.

In monetary policy, the Reserve Bank of Australia was set to leave interest rates at the current record-low levels, according to Governor Philip Lowe.

Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand’s S&P/NZX 50 was ahead 0.8% at 8,125.31, led higher by Tourism Holdings, which jumped 6.5% after forming a joint venture with recreational vehicle manufacturer Thor.

Construction giant Fletcher made a very slight recovery, rising 0.6%, after plummeting on its return from suspension on Wednesday morning.

The building conglomerate had taken an additional NZD 486m provision for losses at its building and interiors unit.

Both of the down under dollars were weaker on the greenback, with the Aussie last off 0.1% at AUD 1.2598 and the Kiwi retreating 0.19% to NZD 1.3526.