Asia opens mixed but mostly lower

Asian stock indices opened the fifth session of the week and month mixed with Japan, China, New Zealand, and Hong Kong down, while Australia and South Korea gained ground, as Asian stocks still head for best weekly performance in eight years. 

Yesterday, the European Central Bank increased bonds purchases by 600 billion euros to 1.350 trillion, beating estimates as the euro zone economy battles an 8% contraction. 

The World Health Organization warned of clear risks for a second wave that might be destructive, especially as shutdowns are lifted gradually. 

The WHO warned there's no evidence of an effective cure to lower the death rate by Covid 19, with total infections passing 6.42 million worldwide and the death toll standing at 382,000. 

 From the US, payrolls are expected down 7.75 million in May, compared to a 20.53 million drop in April, while average earnings are expected up 1%, and the unemployment rate is expected up to 19.4%.

Japan's TOPEX fell 0.33%, while Nikkei 225 shed 0.35% to 22,616. 

China's CSI 300 shed 0.09%, while Shanghai inched down 0.12% to 2,915. 

Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipped 0.10%, while South Korea's KOSPI rose 0.63% to 2,164. 

New Zealand's NZX 50 fell 0.70%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.02% to 5,992.