Asia markets little changed despite China’s April industrial output increase

Stocks in Asia were little changed on Friday as data showed China’s industrial output bouncing back more than expected in April.

Mainland Chinese stocks were mixed on the day, with the Shanghai composite slightly lower at around 2,868.46 while the Shenzhen composite added 0.159% to about 1,808.56. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index hovered around the flatline, as of its final hour of trading.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 closed 0.62% higher at 20,037.47 while the Topix index rose 0.5% to end its trading day at 1,453.77.

South Korea’s Kospi added 0.12% to close at 1,927.28. Shares in Australia saw gains on the day, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 1.43% to 5,404.80 as shares of major miner BHP jumped 3.46%.

Overall, the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index gained 0.19%.