Shares in Hong Kong slipped Thursday, after a reading showing manufacturing activity in China fell to a one-year low, indicating continued weakness in the economy.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 53.75 points, or 0.3%, to 20,187.65
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index docked 106.15 points, or 0.4%, to 27,827.70, after climbing above that level intraday for a second day in a row.
Before Thursday, the index was up 12% month-to-date, mostly fueled by expectations of more buying from mainland investors and further support for the economy from Beijing.
Asia had earlier been given a lift from gains in the U.S. overnight, where the Nasdaq Composite was points away from an all-time high amid a busy week for quarterly results.
CHINA
The Shanghai CSI 300 poked 1.08 points to 4,740.89
On Thursday, a preliminary reading of Chinese manufacturing activity came in at 49.2 in April, compared with a final reading of 49.6 in March, according to HSBC Holdings PLC. Signs of weakness in the economy add to hopes that Beijing will take further stimulus measures.
In other markets
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index eked up 6.51 points, or 0.2%, to 3,502.75
The Kospi index in Korea picked up 29.52 points, or 1.4%, to 2,173.41
In Taiwan, the Taiex index hiked 184.49 points, or 1.9%, to 9,797.49
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 fell 35.71 points, or 0.6%, to 5,757.91
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 inched up 7.28 points, or 0.1%, to 5,844.77
