Asian stocks open the week with mixed performance

Asian stocks started mixed this week, with both Japanese and Chinese Indices  rising, as well as Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index, as correction to the worst performance of global stocks since mid-December, while the Australian and New Zealand stocks fell, as well as South Korea's Kospi index on Monday.

Whilst starting this week with the chief of the US Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, in a CBS's interview "60-minute" to discuss interest rates and economic prospects as well as financial stability. Powell noted that US President Donald Trump "can not dismiss him," while avoiding directly commenting on Trump's strong criticism of the Fed's policy.

Powell said that the Federal Reserve's policy plan of patience monitoring of economic data will determine the decisions and directions of the next Federal Commission is considered appropriate now, adding that the interest on federal funds is "almost neutral" and still believes that the US economy is strong despite the fact that he addressed the weakness of the global economy and intentions Because it may hit the economy of his country, explaining "I can say that there is no reason not to continue this expansion in the economy."

Otherwise, investors are now looking at what the British Parliament will vote on revised version of the UK's exit agreement from the European Union (EU), which will come in less than the three weeks deadline of Britain leave of the European Union amid expectations that the agreement will not be passed with a possible extension of negotiations With the EU on some outstanding issues, in particular the backstop plan.

Japanese stock indices rose in today's trading, with the broader TOPIX index rose  in Japan by 0.39% to win 6.06 points up to 1,578.50, in addition to Japan's Nikkei 225 gaining 0.30% to close at 63.25 points, reaching 21,088.81.

China's indices also rose, with the CSI 300 rising 0.11% to 4.20 points to reach 3,661.78. The Shanghai Composite also rose 0.10% to gain 3.06 points to 2,972.92.

Hong Kong's "Hang Seng" Index rose 0.23% to gain 64.26 points to reach 28,292.68, while South Korea's Kospi fell 0.26% to 5.62 points reaching 2,131.82.

To the New Zealand NZX 50 fall of 0.22% "20.55 points" to 9,419.72. On the other hand, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index shed 0.21%, losing 13.16 points to reach 6,190.60.