Kospi Higher, Singapore Reaches New Record

Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Thursday as traders assessed the Bank of Korea’s decision to keep rates steady, as well as U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to slap a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports beginning August 1.In Japan, the Nikkei 225 lost 174.92 points, or 0.4%, to 39,646.56. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng recovered 136.05 points, or 0.6%, to 24,028.37. Trump also said Wednesday that the 50% tariff on copper imports, which he had announced the previous day, will take effect on Aug. 1. Singapore’s benchmark Straits Times Index scaled to another new high Thursday, notching its fourth straight day of gains.In other markets,In Shanghai, the CSI 300 regained 18.62 points, or 0.5%, to 4,010.02In Korea, the Kospi index added 49.49 points, or 1.6%, to 3,183.23.In Singapore, the Straits Times index climbed 17.88 points, or 0.4%, to 4,075.70. In Taiwan, the Taiex index rumbled 166.24 points, or 0.7%, to 22,693.25.In New Zealand, the NZX 50 dropped 8.41 points, or 0.1%, to 12,760.20.In Australia, the ASX 200 recouped 50.58 points, or 0.6%, to 8,589.16.