Asian Stocks React to Mixed Market Conditions and Tech Sector Volatility

Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed with Hong Kong's Hang Seng index jumping 1.86% while Japan's Nikkei 225 lost 0.26% as business sentiment among large manufacturers soured. Japan's exports rose 11.9% in January, beating estimates, but the country posted a trade deficit of 1.758 trillion yen. Australia's annual wages rose at the fastest pace in 15 years, and U.S. crude oil futures pulled back after hitting a three-month high due to the conflict in the Middle East. HSBC reported a 78% jump in pre-tax annual profit, missing market estimates, and its Hong Kong shares dipped more than 2%.