Asian Markets Mixed Ahead of US Jobs Report
Asian markets traded mixed on Tuesday as investors awaited a key report on US employment scheduled for later in the week. The closely watched data is expected to influence the Federal Reserve's decisions on interest rates, which will have repercussions for global markets, including Asia.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.2% in morning trading, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell slightly. South Korea's Kospi added 0.2% after a report showed consumer inflation slowed in August, supporting expectations of an easing of monetary policy. Hong Kong's Hang Seng added nearly 0.1%, while the Shanghai Composite edged down 0.2%.
Worries are growing about the resilience of China's economy, as recently disclosed data showed a mixed picture. Recent weak earnings reports from Chinese companies added to the pessimism.
In energy trading, benchmark US crude rose, while Brent crude fell. The US dollar edged down against the Japanese yen, while the euro also declined slightly.