Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as trade tensions dent sentiment; China stands pat on benchmark lending rates – NBC4 Washington

This is CNBC’s live blog covering Asia-Pacific markets.

Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed Monday as investors awaited China’s rate decision at a time when the yuan has come under pressure due to Beijing-Washington trade tensions.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 1.16%, while the broader Topix index lost 1.24%.

In South Korea, the Kospi index increased 0.14% while the small-cap Kosdaq moved up 0.13%.

Over in China, the central bank kept its key loan prime rates unchanged at 3.10% for 1-year loan maturities and 3.60% for 5-year loan maturities.

Australian and Hong Kong markets were closed for the Easter holiday.

Investors are focused on U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies, as they continue to roil global markets.

Last week, Trump called for the U.S. Federal Reserve to cut interest rates while adding that the termination of Fed Chair Jerome Powell “cannot come fast enough.” Trump’s comments came after Powell cautioned that ongoing trade tensions could challenge the central bank’s goals of controlling inflation and spurring growth.

U.S. futures fell after all three major benchmarks logged their third weekly decline, in the last four trading weeks.

The broad-based S&P 500 ended Thursday’s session higher, but still finished the holiday-shortened week 1.5% lower.

Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite posted their third consecutive losing session, each declining over 2% in the four-day trading week.

— CNBC’s Sean Conlon contributed to this report.

Japanese and South Korean auto stocks fall in early trade

Japanese and South Korean auto stocks fell in early trade Monday, reversing course from gains in the previous week after U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments on “help[ing] some of the car companies.”

Suzuki Motor led losses in Japanese automakers, plunging 4.19% as at 8.59 a.m. Singapore time.

Other stocks that logged steep increases include Mazda Motor which retreated 3.03%, Toyota Motor which fell 2.30% and Nissan Motor which dropped 1.99%.

Over in South Korea, Kia Corp moved up 0.34% while Hyundai Motor lost 0.11%.

— Amala Balakrishner

Spot gold rises above $3,300 as investors scoop up bullion in market rally

Spot gold continued to rise past the $3,300 threshold Monday as investors sought relief in the safe-haven bullion amid Beijing-Washington trade tensions.

The precious metal hit a record high of $3,368.92 per ounce as at 8.44 a.m. Singapore time.

— Amala Balakrishner

Japanese yen strengthens to 7-month high against the greenback

The Japanese yen appreciated 0.70% against the U.S. dollar to hit a seven-month high of 141.16 as of 9:00 a.m. Singapore time on Monday.

Elsewhere in Asia-Pacific, the Korean won strengthened 0.31% to 1,421.20 against the U.S. dollar.

Meanwhile, the Australian dollar appreciated by 0.36% against the U.S. dollar to 0.6398, while the offshore Chinese yuan strengthened marginally by 0.1% against the greenback to 7.2953.

Southeast Asian currencies also strengthened against the greenback. The Singapore dollar was last seen 0.4% stronger than the U.S. dollar at 1.305, while the Malaysian ringgit had appreciated 0.45% against the dollar to 4.39.

— Amala Balakrishner