Japan’s Nikkei 225 falls 2% as investors monitor Evergrande developments

SINGAPORE — Shares in Asia-Pacific were mixed on Tuesday as investors continued monitoring the situation surrounding embattled developer China Evergrande Group.

Japanese stocks declined as they returned to trade following a Monday holiday. The Nikkei 225 closed 2.17% lower at 29,839.71 as shares of conglomerate Softbank Group plunged 4.98%. The Topix index shed 1.7% on the day to 2,064.55.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index, which was dragged down by more than 3% on Monday amid investor fears around Evergrande, rose 0.51% to close at 24,221.54 on Tuesday.

Shares of China Evergrande Group fell 0.44%, while the Hang Seng Properties index climbed 2.97%, bouncing back partially from Monday’s losses.

Evergrande’s chairman tried to reassure markets on Tuesday, saying the firm will fulfill its responsibilities to property buyers, investors, partners and financial institutions, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing local media.

Meanwhile, S&P Global Ratings credit analysts said in a report: “We believe Beijing would only be compelled to step in if there is a far-reaching contagion causing multiple major developers to fail and posing systemic risks to the economy,” according to the Monday report. “Evergrande failing alone would unlikely result in such a scenario.”

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 advanced 0.35% on the day to 7,273.80.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.16%.

Markets in mainland China and South Korea were closed on Tuesday for a holiday.

Airline stocks in Asia-Pacific rose after the U.S. announced a plan to ease travel restrictions for international visitors who are vaccinated.

Qantas Airways shares in Australia gained 2.23%. In Japan, shares of Japan Airlines jumped 4.47% while ANA Holdings advanced 2.53%. Hong Kong-listed shares of Cathay Pacific jumped 3%.

Elsewhere, Singapore Airlines’ stock in Singapore gained 3.33%, as of around 4:15 p.m. local tim