Asian stocks open mixed on week's first session

Asian stocks open the first session of the week on mixed performance amid weak liquidity levels on the back of the US and British markets being absent due to holidays on Monday. With the Japanese and Australian stocks, as well as South Korea's Kospi Index rising, while the Chinese, New Zealand stocks, as well as Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell.

This comes amid investors' assessment of the US-China trade dispute developments, in conjunction with the US President, Donald Trump's visit to Japan, the world's third-largest economy, following his recent statement that Tokyo had "a great advantage" over Washington for many years. Adding that the two sides were "getting close" to a trade deal that would tackle his country's trade deficit.

It's mentioned that the US Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer, recently noted that the US trade deficit reached about $56.8 billion last year with Japan. While Trump's visit to Japan comes amid the US administration's threat to impose tariffs against the Japanese and European car makers. On the other hand, investors currently are closely following the preliminary results of the European Parliament elections and its follow-ups to the European Union.

Japanese stocks witnessed a rise during today's trading session, with the broader Topix index rising by 0.38% to gain (5.83 point) up to 1,547.04, while Nikkei 225 index also rose by 0.31% (65.54 points) up to 21,182.76.

As for the Chinese stock indices, CSI 300 fell 0.53% to lose 19.00 points and reach 3,574.91, the Shanghai Composite Index also fell 0.29% (8.31 points) to reach 2,844.68.

As for Hong Kong's Hang Sang, it fell 0.53% (145.57 points) to 27,208.36. While South Korea's Kospi Index rose 0.05% (1.00 points) to 2,046.31.

To New Zealand's NZX 50, which fell 0.44% (45.33 points) to 10,177.03. While Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.07% to gain 4.36 points and reached the level of 6,460.40.