Investing.com - Asian shares eased on Tuesday with China and Hong Kong shut for holidays and investors on the sidelines ahead of the open of the U.S. after a long-holiday weekend.
Japan's Nikkei 225 shed 0.47% though Toshiba shares were marginally higher, edging higher by 0.08%% following news that Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) could join a consortium involving a Japanese state-backed fund and KKR & Co.
Japan reported household spending figures for April rose 0.5%, compared with a 1.1% gain seen month-on-month and down 1.4%, compared with a 0.7% decline seen year-on-year. As well, jobs data showed unemployment rate steady at 2.8% and retail sales rose a more than expected 3.2%.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.29%. In Australia, building approvals jumped 4.4%, well above the 3.0% month-on-month gain expected for April. South Korea's benchmark Kospi index reversed early gains to fall 0.58% after markeing seven straight closing gains.
U.S., U.K. and China markets were shut on Monday.