ASIA PACIFIC

STOCKS fell yesterday, with the regional index halting a four-day rally, as Japanese shares retreated on a stronger yen and a drop in oil weighed on energy companies.

The MSCI Asia Pacific index fell 0.2 percent to 141.11 as of 4.36pm in Hong Kong after rising as much as 0.2 percent. More than two shares dropped for each that rose.

Japan’s Topix index slid 1 percent as the yen strengthened for a third day against the dollar. New Zealand’s NZX 50 index slipped less than 0.1 percent. The Shanghai Composite index climbed 1 percent amid signs the Chinese government is loosening monetary policy further after cutting interest rates for the first time since 2012.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index lost 0.5 percent, and the Hang Seng China Enterprises index of companies listed in the city slid 0.3 percent.

Singapore’s Straits Times index slipped 0.2 percent and Taiwan’s Taiex index added 0.5 percent. – Bloomberg