Asian shares are mixed as investors weighed data highlighting a slowing U.S. economy that offers both upsides and downsides for Wall Street
TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares traded mixed Wednesday, as investors weighed recent data highlighting a slowing U.S. economy that offers both upsides and downsides for Wall Street.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 shed 0.9% to 38,490.17. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.4% to 7,769.00. South Korea's Kospi jumped 1.0% to 2,689.50. Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipped nearly 0.1% to 18,428.62, while the Shanghai Composite dipped 0.8% to 3,065.40.
Analysts said recent data on wage growth in Japan will turn more pronounced once results of the recent spring labor negotiations kick in. That means the Bank of Japan may be more likely to raise interests rates.
On Tuesday, the S&P 500 ticked up by 0.2% to 5,291.34, though more stocks within the index fell than rose. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.4% to 38,711.29, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.2% to 16,857.05.