(MENAFN– ecpulse)
Asian stocks were mixed on Thursday as risk appetite was dampened by fears of a reduction in the Federal Reserve`s stimulus program next week, while in Japan machinery orders accelerated less than expected.
- MSCI Asia Pacific Index was little changed at 137.67 as of 15:30 in Tokyo
Focus also turns on Syria as Secretary of State John Kerry will meet his counterpart Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday to discuss Syria`s chemical weapons arsenal, averting the threat of a US military action.
- China’s CSI 300 Index closed 0.99% higher at 2507.46
- Hong Kong’s Hang Seng closed 0.07% higher at 22953.72
In Japan stocks fell on disappointing economic data and as the yen strengthened. Machinery orders, a key indicator of capital expenditure, came in unchanged from in July the previous month, triggering doubts over Abe`s stimulus policies.
- Nikkei 225 closed 0.26% lower at 14387.27
- Topix closed 0.41% lower at 1184.36
In Australia investors ignored the soft jobs numbers and managed to rise. The number of people employed fell more than expected by 10,800 in August. In South Korea, stocks rose after the central bank held rates steady as the economy is improving.
- The S&P/ASX 200 closed 0.16% higher at 5242.54
- Kospi closed 0.01% higher at 2004.06
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