Equities Mixed, Japan Equities Fall On Yen Support, Aus/NZ Higher

Regional Asian equities are mostly lower, today with Australia and New Zealand equities the exceptions. It has been a quiet day for market headlines and economic data, as markets await a busy end to the week for economic indicators, including the Fed's preferred inflation gauge. Earlier, Japan's currency chief warned of significant moves in the FX markets driven by market speculation rather than fundamentals, in relation to the weakening yen from the past week.

• Japan's equities are lower today as investors seek to lock in profits after the Nikkei hit new all-time highs on Friday, while the Topix marked a 6-day advance on Friday. Exporters are lower today as the yen edged higher following a warning from Japan's Currency Chief to the FX market. Japan has just released the Leading Index coming in at 109.5 vs 109.9 previously, while the Coincident Index rose to 112.1 from 110.2 previously, shortly Store Sales data will be released. The Topix is down 0.88%, while the Nikkei 225 is down 0.69%.
• South Korean equities are slightly lower to unchanged with tech names have leading the decline. Representatives from various international financial firms are visiting Korea to explore investment opportunities and discuss corporate governance practices amid the government's Corporate Value-up Program launch, aiming to enhance transparency and attract more overseas investments. The trip organized by the Asian Corporate Governance Association aligns with efforts to improve Korea's corporate governance standards and elevate the valuation of listed companies, potentially increasing foreign investor interest in the Korean market. The Kospi is down 0.19%.
• Taiwanese equities have edged higher today after initially starting the day lower, there has been very little in the way of market news and headlines out of the region. The Philadelphia SE Semiconductor Index was only slightly higher on Friday, while local semiconductor names including TSMC are lower. The Taiex is up 0.14%
• Australian equities are higher today, with banks leading the gains. Earlier, Fitch Ratings stated that "The ratings of the four major Australian banks have significant buffers to withstand a slowing economy and higher unemployment,". Miners are higher after ANZ called for the bottom for Iron Ore prices. The ASX200 finished up 0.53%.
• Elsewhere in SEA, New Zealand equities are higher, up 0.74%, Singapore equities down 0.20%, Indonesian equities down 0.33% after marking 5 straight days of foreign investors inflows, while Malaysian equities are down 0.35% and Indian equity markets are closed for a public holiday.