Asian stocks open mixed ahead of US jobs report

Asian stocks opened mixed on the last session of the week, as the Japanese stocks, Hong Kong's Hang Seng and the South Korean Kospi index fell, while the Australian and New Zealand stocks indices rose, while the Chinese market is still absent in observance of the National Day holidays.

The Australian economy released the housing market data, as the new home sales index rose by 7.3% vs. a decline by 7.2% in July, and the retail sales rose by 0.4% vs 0% in July.

The Reserve Bank of Australia also released its financial stability review report, which is the bank's assessment of the financial system conditions and the financial stability possible risks, followed by the bank's assistant governor Luci Ellis speech at an event hosted by the Australian Industry Group, in Geelong.

Investors are anticipating the US monthly jobs report and the Federal Reserve Governor's speech in addition to several members of the FOMC, on the lookout for any hints about the future of the Fed's monetary policy.

Bearing in mind that the recent weak US data economy increased expectations that the Fed will cut the interest rates for the third time this year by 25 basis points at the next meeting. while investors are also anticipating the next round of the US-China trade talks next week.

The Japanese stocks fell today, as Topix fell by 0.27% or 4.25 points to 1,564.62 points, and Nikkei 225 fell by 0.09% or 19.75 points to 21,321.99.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell by 0.59% or 154.27 points to 25,956.04, and the South Korean Kospi fell by 0.03% or 0.70 points to 2,031.21.

New Zealand's NZX 50 rose by 0.85% or 91.88 points to 10,913.08, and the Australian S&P/ASX 200 rose by 0.28% or 18.11 points to 6,511.10.