Shanghai Ends Flat, Regional Markets Mixed

Regional stock markets were mixed on Tuesday – with the mainland markets closing the day flat despite latest trade figures showing many businesses across the border have picked up their activities.

Hong Kong markets had suspended trading as the Tropical Storm Nangka swirled past the SAR.

Across the border, the Shanghai market failed to extend a strong rally of the previous day.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which had retreated 0.3 percent by mid-day, recovered some lost ground in the afternoon. It closed just one point higher, at 3,359.

It comes as the central government released new trade figures for last month, revealing a surge in the country’s imports and exports in September, amid indications of a recovery amid the ongoing pandemic.

Elsewhere in the region, the Nikkei in Tokyo earned around 0.2 percent – with a surge seen in stocks related to the smartphone maker Apple as it’s widely expected that the firm will roll out its new iPhone in an event this week.

But both Seoul and Taipei fell marginally, snapping an eight-day winning streak on both markets.

On the currency market, the yuan extended its recent decline, after the mainland's central bank cut foreign exchange forward reserve requirements. Analysts said the market is still digesting the policy change that was announced over the weekend.