Most Asia markets finished higher on Tuesday, while Japanese shares edged down in a muted reaction to better-than-expected economic data.
The Nikkei 225 index in Tokyo slid 12.13 points, or 0.1%, to 16,725.36
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index hiked 194.77 points, or 0.9%, to 23,016.11
Data released before the Japanese market opened showed Japan's household spending fell 0.5% on-year in July, narrower than economists’ forecast for a 0.9% decline. Japan's retail sales slipped 0.2% on-year in July, a narrower decline than a median market forecast for a 0.9% drop.
Japan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July came in at 3%, a touch lower than June's 3.1% and the lowest since 1995
The Japanese yen weakened Tuesday afternoon, trading at 102.41 against the U.S. dollar, compared with the yen's earlier high of 101.73 in the session.
Energy plays were mostly higher, with Santos shares up 0.2%, ,Oil Search adding 1.6%, and Inpex up 0.4%. Fuji Oil in Japan, however, traded down 3.5%
In Australia, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed the seasonally adjusted approvals to build new homes in July rose 11.3% on-month, beating am economists’ poll forecasting no change.
In other markets
The Shanghai CSI 300 inched up 4.21 points, or 0.1%, to 3,311.99,
The Taiex Index in Taiwan eked up 0.39 points to 9,110.56
In Korea, the Kospi index moved higher 7.39 points, or 0.4%, to 2,039.74
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index dropped 1.04 points to 2,828.39
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 regained 20.69 points, or 0.3%, to 7,387.95
The ASX 200 added 9.07 points, or 0.2%, to 5,478.29
