Investing.com - Asian stocks were mixed to lower on Thursday as investors sold on news that output at European factory and services firms was down, while weak housing data out of the U.S. also dampened spirits.
During Asian trading on Thursday, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 0.66%, Australia's S&P/ASX200 was down 0.38%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index was up 0.17%.
In Europe, services and manufacturing output dipped in February, according to Markit Economics, with figures coming in worse than expected.
In the U.S., the National Association of Realtors reported that existing home sales rose by 4.3% to a seasonally adjusted 4.57 million units in January, below expectations for a gain of 6.2% to 4.67 million units.
Furthermore, the American Petroleum Institute reported that U.S. crude inventories rose last week, as less demand for oil often reflects an economy taking a breather.
Official oil inventory figures are due out later Thursday
Weak data on both sides of the Atlantic soured moods in Asian equities markets somewhat, where investors were also buying and selling on earnings reports hitting the wire.
In Hong Kong, the top decliners included Cheung Kong, down 2.40%, Wharf Holdings, down 2.30%, and Cathay Pacific Air, down 2.16%.
In Australia, the top decliners included Kingsgate Consolidated, down 6.84%, Art Energy, down 5.00%, and Pacific Brands, down 4.96%.
European stock futures indicated a mixed opening.
France's CAC 40 futures pointed to a gain of 0.12%, while Germany ’s DAX 30 futures signaled a gain of 0.06%. Meanwhile, in the U.K., the FTSE 100 futures indicated a loss of 0.05%.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 0.02% while the S&P 500 futures were up 0.01%.
Later Thursday, Germany is to publish an Ifo report on business climate, a key gauge of economic health.
The U.S. will publish government data on initial jobless claims, an key signal of overall economic health, as well as numbers on crude and gasoline inventories.
During Asian trading on Thursday, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 0.66%, Australia's S&P/ASX200 was down 0.38%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index was up 0.17%.
In Europe, services and manufacturing output dipped in February, according to Markit Economics, with figures coming in worse than expected.
In the U.S., the National Association of Realtors reported that existing home sales rose by 4.3% to a seasonally adjusted 4.57 million units in January, below expectations for a gain of 6.2% to 4.67 million units.
Furthermore, the American Petroleum Institute reported that U.S. crude inventories rose last week, as less demand for oil often reflects an economy taking a breather.
Official oil inventory figures are due out later Thursday
Weak data on both sides of the Atlantic soured moods in Asian equities markets somewhat, where investors were also buying and selling on earnings reports hitting the wire.
In Hong Kong, the top decliners included Cheung Kong, down 2.40%, Wharf Holdings, down 2.30%, and Cathay Pacific Air, down 2.16%.
In Australia, the top decliners included Kingsgate Consolidated, down 6.84%, Art Energy, down 5.00%, and Pacific Brands, down 4.96%.
European stock futures indicated a mixed opening.
France's CAC 40 futures pointed to a gain of 0.12%, while Germany ’s DAX 30 futures signaled a gain of 0.06%. Meanwhile, in the U.K., the FTSE 100 futures indicated a loss of 0.05%.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were up 0.02% while the S&P 500 futures were up 0.01%.
Later Thursday, Germany is to publish an Ifo report on business climate, a key gauge of economic health.
The U.S. will publish government data on initial jobless claims, an key signal of overall economic health, as well as numbers on crude and gasoline inventories.