06:43 AM EDT, 08/18/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Asian stock markets churned Monday as traders weighed corporate earnings and currency exchange rates, and awaited new catalysts.

Shanghai and Tokyo finished in the green, but Hong Kong fell back. Other regional exchanges were similarly mixed.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened higher and rose to the close, finishing up 0.8% as a softer yen boosted export issues.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 struck a fresh all-time zenith, up 336 to 43,714.31, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 163 to 62.

Leading the upside was Suzuki Motor, up 10%, while utility giant Tokyo Electric Power fell 3.6%.

In economic news, Japan's tertiary (services) industry activity index rose a seasonally adjusted 0.5% on month in June, and by 3.3% on year, the Ministry of Trade Industry & Economy (MTIE) reported.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened evenly, waffled and finished down 0.4% as traders digested the unfolding earnings season.

The broad gauge Hang Seng fell 93.22 to 25,176.85 as losing issues outnumbered gainers 52 to 31. The Hang Seng TECH Index gained 0.7% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index fell 1.3%.

Leading the upside was JD Health International, gaining 8.4%, while noodle-maker Tingyi declined 3.2%.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.9% to 3,728.03, closing at a 10-year high, as interest rates in China have sagged but government stimulus programs have improved prospects for some public companies.

On the other regional exchanges, the S. Korean KOSPI fell 1.5%; the Taiwan TWSE inclined 0.6%; the Australian ASX 200 rose 0.2%; the Singapore Straits Times Index fell 1%, and the Thai Set declined 1.4%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was up 1%.