Investing.com - Asian shares were mixed on Thursday after the Federal Reserve signaled higher chances of an interest rate hike by the end of the year overnight, with regional data also a factor.
The S&P/ASX was off 0.64%, while the Nikkei 225 inched up 0.07%. The Shanghai Composite rose 0.30%.
In Japan, industrial output rose 1.0% in September, far outpacing the fall of 0.5% expected month-on-month.
In Australia HIA new home sales sand 4.0% in September from a 2.3% gain in the previous month and the export price index for the third quarter was flat, compared to an 0.5% gain seen, while the import price index rose 1.4%, below the 1.6% rise expected.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand left the official cash rate unchanged at 2.75% as expected, but jawboned the currency lower by stating that lower interest rates would be required if the exchange rate remains high.
On Wednesday, the Fed kept interest rates unchanged on Wednesday and in a direct reference to its next policy meeting put a December rate hike firmly in play.
"In determining whether it will be appropriate to raise the target range at its next meeting, the committee will assess progress - both realized and expected - toward its objectives of maximum employment and 2 percent inflation," the Fed said in a statement after its latest two-day policy meeting.
The central bank also downplayed recent global financial market turmoil and said the U.S. labor market was still healing despite a slower pace of job growth.
Overnight, U.S. stocks were higher after the close on Wednesday, as gains in the Oil & Gas, Financials and Technology sectors led shares higher.
At the close in NYSE, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 1.13% to hit a new 3-months high, while the S&P 500 index climbed 1.18%, and the NASDAQ Composite index added 1.30%.