Asia Mixed as Investors Assess MidEast Conflict

Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed in choppy trade on Tuesday, as investors assessed the Israel-Iran conflict after U.S. President Donald Trump urged “everyone” to immediately evacuate Tehran. The president subsequently left the Group of Seven summit a day earlier due to the Middle East crisis.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 225.41 points, or 0.6%, to 38,536.74, after the Bank of Japan expectedly stood pat on interest rates at 0.5%, as growth risks loom. The central bank also said it would slow the pace of government bond purchases starting next April.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng dropped 80.69 points, or 0.3%, to 23,980.30. In other markets In Shanghai, the CSI 300 shed 3.42 points, or 0.1%, to 3,870.38.In Korea, the Kospi index eked up 3.64 points, or 0.1%, to 2,950.30.In Taiwan, the Taiex index leaped 161.69 points, or 0.7%, to 22,211.59.In Singapore, the Straits Times index recovered 22.18 points, or 0.6%, to 3,930.64In New Zealand, the NZX 50 backtracked 50.78 points, or 0.4%, to 12,639.34.In Australia, the ASX 200 lost 7.11 points, or 0.1%, to 8,541.27.