Asia stocks little changed as data shows China’s exports unexpectedly rose in April

Asia stocks were little changed on Thursday as a data release showed China’s exports for April exceeding expectations, though a private survey showed the country’s services sector slumping in the same month.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 added 0.28% to close at 19,674.77 as shares of Tokyo Electron jumped 3.16% while the Topix index shed 0.32% to end its trading day at 1,426.73. South Korea’s Kospi closed largely flat at 1,928.61.

Mainland Chinese stocks dipped on the day, with the Shanghai composite 0.23% lower at about 2,871.52 while the Shenzhen composite slipped 0.115% to around 1,788.21. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index shed 0.74%, as of its final hour of trading.

Shares in Australia slipped, with the S&P/ASX 200 closing 0.38% lower at 5,364.20.

Overall, the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index declined 0.32%. Markets in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia were closed on Thursday for holidays.