Asia stocks mixed; Nikkei ends up 0.6% as yen weakens

Asian stock markets were mixed on Tuesday, with shares in Japan climbing to a seven-week high as traders continued to eye movements in the yen and in the Japanese government bond market.

During late Asian trade, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was up 0.2%, Australia’s ASX/200 Index ended 0.1% higher, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index added 0.6%.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei rose to the highest level since May 24 as traders returned from a three-day weekend.

USD/JPY rose to hit a session high of 100.21, moving off Friday’s low of 98.66. A weaker yen increases the value of overseas income at Japanese companies when repatriated, boosting the outlook for export earnings.

Automakers Mazda and Nissan rose 1.4% and 1.8% respectively, while Canon and Nikon added 2.7% and 1.4% apiece.

Japanese megabanks were also higher, with shares in the nation’s largest lender Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group climbing 1.1%, while Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group advanced 0.5% and 0.9% respectively.

Meanwhile, in Australia, the benchmark ASX/200 Index inched higher following the release of the minutes of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s most recent policy-setting meeting.

The RBA said low inflation leaves room for a further cut in interest rates if the economy requires more support.

The big four banks all rose, with National Australia Bank gaining 0.3%, while ANZ Banking Group and Westpac Banking Group advanced 0.7% and 1.1%. Commonwealth Bank of Australia tacked on 0.7%. 

Miners advanced on the back of rising metal prices. Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton jumped 1.4% and 0.5% respectively.

Rio Tinto was further supported after reporting that second-quarter global iron ore production rose 7%. BHP will release its output results on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng swung between small gains and losses amid lingering concerns over a slowdown in China’s economic growth.

Data released on Monday showed that the world’s second largest economy expanded 7.5% in the second quarter from a year earlier, in line with market expectations and slowing from a 7.7% increase in the preceding quarter.

Index heavyweight Tencent Holdings rallied 2.9% to hit a fresh record high.

Looking ahead, European stock market futures pointed to a flat open, as market participants looked ahead to a congressional testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Wednesday for further clues on the future of U.S. economic stimulus.

The EURO STOXX 50 futures pointed to a gain of 0.1% at the open, France’s CAC 40 futures added 0.1%, London’s FTSE 100 futures were little changed, while Germany's DAX futures pointed to a flat open.  

The ZEW Institute was to release its closely watched report on German economic sentiment later Tuesday and the euro zone was to release official data on consumer price inflation.

The U.S. was also to release official data on consumer price inflation and a report on industrial production.