Asia-Pacific markets fell across the board as investors assess key economic data out of Japan and South Korea.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index tailed off 69.85 points, or 0.2%, to 32,706.52. Meanwhile, corporate confidence in Japan fell in September, among both manufacturers and non-manufacturers, according to the Reuters Tankan poll.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index dropped 16.67 points, or 0.1%, to 18,009.22.
South Korea’s unemployment rate in August came in at 2%, its lowest since June 1999.
Confidence among large manufacturers slid to +4, from +12 in August. The non-manufacturers index dropped nine points to hit +23 in September.
In other markets
The CSI 300 lost 23.95 points, or 0.6%, to 3,736.65.
In Taiwan, the Taiex index recovered 8.8 points, or 0.1%, to 16,581.51.
In Singapore, the Straits Times regained 4.47 points, or 0.1%, to 3,218.93.
In Korea, the Kospi index slipped 1.88 points, or 0.1%, to 2,534.70.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 hiked 58.42 points, or 0.5%, to 11,357.12.
In Australia, the ASX 200 slid 52.94 points, or 0.7%, to 7,153.91.
