Asia Pacific stocks were mixed

On Monday, Asia Pacific stocks slipped in morning trade as developments on the coronavirus pandemic continue to affect the investor sentiments.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index managed to lead gains regionally as it surged 1.43% in early trade.

However, mainland Chinese stocks were a mixbag. The Shanghai composite went up to a certain extent while the Shenzhen component added 0.18%. The ChiNext dropped 0.314%, following the first batch of firms listing on the Nasdaq-style board under its revised IPO system marked their debut on Monday. 

As a result of the new regulations, stocks on ChiNext are allowed to now ascend or rise up to 20% in a session, in comparison with 10% previously, as reported by Reuters.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 climbed 0.36% whereas the Topix index advanced 0.21% in morning trade. South Korea’s Kospi added 0.94%.

Shares in Australia also added, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.17%.

Overall, the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index surged 0.74%.

(Reference: CNBC)