Asia markets kick off the last trading week of this year on a subdued note

Asia-Pacific stock markets were subdued Tuesday, with Japan opening flat but still set to wrap up the year as the region’s top performer. Several markets including Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong were shut on account of Boxing Day. Japan’s Nikkei 225 opened flat, holding at 33,245.95, while the broader Topix inched 0.10% lower. The Nikkei 225 was set to end the year with gains of over 27%, making it Asia’s top gainer in 2023. South Korea’s Kospi also traded around the flatline at the 2,600 level, while the Kosdaq index dipped 0.25% at the open. The Topix has gained 23.5% so far this year, while the Kospi has advanced 16.2%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index has been the worst performer of 2023, down about 17.4%. China’s CSI 300 index opened marginally lower at 3,345.40. Wall Street’s major averages clocked an eighth straight winning week on Friday, looking to extend their year-end rally. The S&P 500 index gained 0.17% to 4,754.63 in its previous trading session — just 0.9% shy from its record close, and 1.3% from its intraday record. The Nasdaq Composite rose by 0.19%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 18.38 points, or 0.05%.