Tokyo, Japan (BBN)-Asian markets traded mostly higher on Tuesday despite a lacklustre lead from Wall Street, where US stocks closed down on weak economic data.
US data on Monday showed weaker manufacturing activity and a modest gain in consumer spending as investors awaited the July jobs figures on Friday, reports BBC.
They could provide a key clue on the timing of when the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates.
The Nikkei traded flat at 20,535.72.
A stronger yen weighed on the Japanese benchmark index, because it makes its exporters less competitive overseas and lowers their profits.
The dollar was at 123.93 yen, down from 123.99 yen in New York overnight.
MORE CHINESE MEASURES
Chinese shares opened higher after the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges revised rules on short-selling in a bid to reduce market volatility.
The changes prevent short-sellers from borrowing and repaying securities on the same day, and are the latest in a series of measures to stem recent sharp losses.
The Shanghai Composite was up 0.9 per cent to 3,653.92, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was higher by 0.2 per cent to 24,453.34.
Australian shares were higher in early trade, but investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of the central bank’s decision on interest rates later in the day.
The benchmark ASX 200 was up 0.8 per cent at 5,727.1 points.
Economists widely expect the Reserve Bank of Australia to leave rates unchanged at a record low of 2 per cent.
In Seoul, the Kospi index was up 0.5 per cent at 2,018.1 after closing down on Monday.
BBN/SK/AD