April 14, 2022: -On Wednesday, shares in Asia-Pacific were mixed as investors watched for market reaction to the release of Chinese trade data. New Zealand also increased its rate by 50 basis points, its most significant increase in the last 20 years.

On Wednesday, Data released showed Chinese exports rising more than expected in March. According to official customs data, China’s dollar-denominated exports grew 14.7% year-on-year in March. That was more than expected for a 13% increase in a Reuters poll.

Mainland China’s Shanghai Composite has slipped 0.82%, closing at 3,186.82, while the Shenzhen component came down 1.601% to 11,568.17. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index increased about 0.1% in its final hour of trading.

On the other hand, Chinese imports saw a 0.1% year-on-year decrease in March. That was much less than the 8% growth predicted in a Reuters poll.

Investors were watching concerns around the mainland’s Covid situation.

Although the Nikkei 225 in Japan increased 1.93% on the day to 26,843.49, the Topix index advanced 1.42% to 1,890.06.

South Korea’s Kospi increased 1.86%, closing at 2,716.49, while the S&P/ASX 200 in Australia is edging 0.34% higher to finish at 7,479 on the trading day.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific stocks outside Japan gained almost 0.6%.

Mainland Chinese stocks mixed ahead of the release of dollar-denominated China trade data for March, as tensions around the mainland’s Covid situation continue to weigh investor sentiment.