Tokyo, Japan (BBN)-Shares in Asia were lacklustre on Monday despite shares in the US ending the week in positive territory, with the S&P 500 index closing at a new record.
In Japan, the leading Nikkei index was up 0.31% in early trade at 19,794.32 points, reports BBC.
While in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.02% at 5,734.20.
Mining giant BHP Billiton’s spinoff company South32 is set to begin trading on the city’s stock exchange later.
South32 is the result of one of the largest corporate break-ups in the industry’s history and is made up of Australian and South African assets including aluminium, nickel and manganese mines.
Analysts estimate it could be worth between $7bn and $15bn, depending on currency and commodity prices.
In South Korea, the benchmark Kospi index was flat, down 0.04% at 2,105.59.
In Greater China, shares in Hong Kong ended up some 2% on Friday on speculation that an investment link between Shenzhen and Hong Kong could be established later this year.
On the mainland, however, the Shanghai Composite index finished the week 1.59% lower at 4,308.69.
Analysts said mainland investors were probably selling off holdings to raise enough cash to invest in a fresh round of flotations – or initial public offerings (IPOs) expected this week.