Asia opens mixed but mostly higher

Asian stock indices opened the third session of the week mixed, with Japan, Australia, New Zealand higher, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng threaded lower alongside Chinese stocks. 

South Korea's central bank reported a 1.2% growth rate in the last quarter, the best pace since 2017.

Otherwise, market concerns are rising as the Coronavirus epidemic spreads to the US after killing nine people in China and infecting 400, while also reaching Thailand, South Korea, and Japan. 

Japan's TOPEX rose 0.31% to 1,740.42, while Japan's Nikkei 225 added 0.51%. 

China's CSI 300 fell 0.55%, as the Shanghai index fell 0.56% to 3,035.04. 

Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.72%, while South Korea's KOSPI added 0.74% to 2,256.28. 

New Zealand's NZX 50 rose 0.62%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rallied 0.98%.