Asia opens mixed but mostly lower

Asian stock indices opened the fourth session of the week and August mixed but mostly lower, with Japan, China, New Zealand, and Hong Kong lower, while Australia and South Korea gained ground. 

Earlier New Zealand data showed inflation expectations up to 1.43% from 1.24% in the second quarter. 

The World Health Organization warned it's possible that no vaccine would work against Covid 19 while still maintaining hope.. as global record infections surpass 18.4 million cases with the death toll passing 700,000. 

Japan's TOPEX fell 0.28%, while Nikkei 225 slipped 0.33% to 22,440. 

China's CSI 300 fell 0.56%, while Shanghai declined 0.56% to 3,358. 

Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 1.3% to 24,776, while South Korea's KOSPI rose 0.71% to 2,328. 

New Zealand's NZX 50 fell 0.29%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.26% to 6,017.