Korea Extends Post-Election Gains

Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Thursday, after private sector hiring in the U.S. hit its lowest level in over two years, raising concerns that trade policy uncertainty could be weighing on the world’s largest economy.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 toppled 192.96 points, or 0.5%, to 37,554.49. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng leaped 252.94 points, or 1.1%, to 23,906.97.South Korean markets extended gains from the previous session, with the benchmark Kospi advancing. Analysts at Nomura expect the Kospi to hit 2,900 by the end of the year, fueled by capital market reforms President Lee Jae-myung is expected to undertake. It is currently at around 2,800.Lee is also expected to “focus on lifting domestic demand by quickly rolling out a second extra budget in July,” the bank’s analysts, led by Jeong Woo Park, wrote in a Wednesday note.In other markets In Shanghai, the CSI 300 eked up 8.82 points, or 0.2%, to 3,877.56.The Kospi in Korea galloped 41.21 points, or 1.5%, to 2,812.05.In Taiwan, the Taiex index gathered 56.34 points, or 0.3%, to 21,674.43.In Singapore, the Straits Times index edged up 13.81 points, or 0.4%, to 3,917.69In New Zealand, the NZX 50 hiked 82.44 points, or 0.7%, to 12,577.15.In Australia, the ASX 200 removed 2.91 points to 8,538.93.