Asian stock markets mixed at Tuesday's close

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) – Major Asian stock markets ended mixed on Tuesday as tech giant Apple is said to have plans to slow hiring and spending growth next year, raising fears over an economic downturn.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, rose 5.6 points or 0.18% to 3,181.4.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 stock exchange increased by 173 points, or 0.65%, to 26,961.

The Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange, plunged by 185 points, or 0.89%, to 20,661 points.

China’s Shanghai Stock Exchange was flat at 3,279 points at Monday's close.

In India, the Sensex benchmark was up 246.5 points, or 0.45%, to end the day at 54,767, while the Singapore index lost 4 points, or 0.13%, to close at 3,118.​​​​​​​