Asia’s benchmark stock index swung between gains and losses as increases among telecommunications companies offset drops in exporters after weaker German business confidence curbed the outlook for sales to Europe.

Nikkei 225 9,091.54 +22.25 +0.25%

S&P/ASX 200 4,372.9 -12.57 -0.29%

Shanghai Composite 2,029.29 -3.90 -0.19%

Telecom Corp. of New Zealand Ltd., the nation’s largest provider of Internet connections, advanced 1.9 percent, as investors sought shares with earnings less tied to economic growth.

Brother Industries Ltd., a Japanese office-equipment maker that gets almost 30 percent of sales from Europe, fell 1 percent.

Komatsu Ltd., the world’s second-biggest construction- equipment maker, lost 1 percent in Tokyo as competitor Caterpillar Inc. cut its 2015 profit forecast.