Investing.com – Asian stocks were mixed on Wednesday, as Japanese shares advanced after the U.S. dollar eased against the yen, but shares in China moved lower.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 0.10%; South Korea's Kospi Composite rose 0.40%; and Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index gained 0.86%.
On Tuesday, official data showed that U.S. industrial production rose more-than-expected in July, rebounding after a dip in June. Separate reports showed that U.S. housing starts rose in July while producer price inflation rose in line with expectations.
The Nikkei's gains came as shares in gaming giant Nintendo jumped 4.34% while camera makers Nikon advanced 1.55%. Meanwhile, auto-makers Honda gained 1.09%.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was 0.05% lower, as shares in mining giant BHP Billiton tumbled 2.40% after its bid for Canada's Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. was rejected.
Elsewhere in the commodity sector, other miners benefitted from BHP's losses with shares in Rio Tinto gaining 2.81% and Fortescue Metals Group up 2.63%.
The outlook for European equity markets, meanwhile, was downbeat: EURO STOXX 50 futures indicated a fall of 0.41%, France’s CAC 40 futures pointed to a drop of 0.43% and Germany's DAX futures indicated a slide of 0.34%.
On Tuesday, successful bond auctions by Ireland and Spain reassured markets that demand remains strong for high-yielding European sovereign bonds.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 0.10%; South Korea's Kospi Composite rose 0.40%; and Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index gained 0.86%.
On Tuesday, official data showed that U.S. industrial production rose more-than-expected in July, rebounding after a dip in June. Separate reports showed that U.S. housing starts rose in July while producer price inflation rose in line with expectations.
The Nikkei's gains came as shares in gaming giant Nintendo jumped 4.34% while camera makers Nikon advanced 1.55%. Meanwhile, auto-makers Honda gained 1.09%.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was 0.05% lower, as shares in mining giant BHP Billiton tumbled 2.40% after its bid for Canada's Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. was rejected.
Elsewhere in the commodity sector, other miners benefitted from BHP's losses with shares in Rio Tinto gaining 2.81% and Fortescue Metals Group up 2.63%.
The outlook for European equity markets, meanwhile, was downbeat: EURO STOXX 50 futures indicated a fall of 0.41%, France’s CAC 40 futures pointed to a drop of 0.43% and Germany's DAX futures indicated a slide of 0.34%.
On Tuesday, successful bond auctions by Ireland and Spain reassured markets that demand remains strong for high-yielding European sovereign bonds.