Asia-Pacific equities were mixed on Thursday as investors digested fresh purchasing managers’ index (PMI) data from S&P Global.
By 11:15 am AEST (1:15 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.6% to fresh record highs, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.6%. South Korea’s Kospi 200 advanced 0.7%.
In Australia, business activity growth accelerated midway through the third quarter, driven by stronger demand across manufacturing and services.
The Services PMI climbed to 55.1 from July’s 54.1, while the Manufacturing PMI improved to 52.9 from 51.3.
Rising new orders, including renewed export growth, prompted firms to increase hiring and lifted business sentiment.
Japan’s private sector activity also expanded, though momentum eased in services, with the Services PMI falling to 52.7 from 53.6, while the Flash Manufacturing PMI rose to 49.9 from 48.9, signalling a stabilisation in factory activity.
Overall business activity grew at its fastest pace since February, supported by rising factory output and solid demand in services, with total new business at a six-month high.
On Wall Street overnight, the S&P 500 declined 0.2% and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.7%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.04%.
In commodities, Brent crude rose 1.6% to US$65.84 a barrel. Spot gold gained 1% to US$3,348.49 per ounce.
In China, equities posted strong gains. The Shanghai Composite advanced 1% to 3,766.2, its highest close since August 2015, while the CSI 300 gained 1.1% to 4,271.4.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 0.2% to 25,165.9. India’s BSE Sensex edged 0.3% higher to 81,857.8.
Elsewhere, European trading was mixed. London’s FTSE 100 surged 1.1% to a record high of 9,288.1, while Germany’s DAX fell 0.6% to 24,277.0 and France’s CAC 40 slipped 0.1% to 7,973.0.
