Asian stocks open mixed

Asian stock indices opened the fifth session of the week mixed with China in particular mixed, while Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea higher, and as Australia and Hong Kong lost ground, with markets pricing in positive trial results for Covid vaccines. 

Japan's TOPEX rose 0.48%, while Nikkei 225 climbed 0.13% to 26,573. 

China's CSI 300 rose 0.09%, while Shanghai declined 0.05% to 3,368. 

Hong Kong's Hang Seng inched down 0.26%, while South Korea's KOSPI added 0.02% to 2,626. 

New Zealand's NZX 50 rose 0.17%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.57% to 6,598.