Asia stock markets close, recover from earlier loss amid N.Korea tensions

Electronic boards showing USD/JPY, EUR/USD, GBP/USD, CNH/KRW, USD/KRW exchange rates at the Kospi and Korea Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (KOSDAQ) (from Reuters video)

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) — Stock markets in Tokyo, Seoul, and Hong Kong closed lower on Tuesday (August 29), but regained some of the losses from earlier in the day after North Korea fired a missile over northern Japan, fuelling worries of fresh tension between Washington and Pyongyang.

Japan’s Nikkei closed its trading at 19362.55 down 87.35 points while the wider Topix shed 2.36 points to 1597.76.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed down 0.2 percent at 2,364.74 points, after falling more than one percent in early trade.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index closed down 0.36 percent at 27762.31 points.

Market analysts say traders are also keeping a closer eye on moves by central banks, adding that North Korea’s missile launches have only exacerbated market volatility which is expected to continue in the days to come.