Hong Kong was the standout performer in Asia today, with the Hang Seng adding 2.4% to defy an otherwise unimpressive day in the region. Upbeat tech earnings set the tone, with Semiconductor Manufacturing International's 14.3% gain leading the charge. Japan's Nikkei also managed a positive finish, adding 0.03% as a rebound in core machinery orders helped offset a strengthening yen. On the other hand, China's Shanghai Composite ended down 0.5%, while South Korea's Kospi slipped 0.2%.
European markets are lower across the board at midday, despite
accommodative remarks from European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi. A bleak forecast from Rolls-Royce has the stock down more than 21% in London, with other aerospace stocks tumbling in sympathy. At last check, the French CAC 40 is nearly 1% lower, the German DAX is down 0.8%, and London's FTSE 100 is off 0.6%.
