Japanese stocks weighed down by poor data once again
The Nikkei ends the day a tad lower after Japan's latest manufacturing PMI fell flat, posting its weakest print since August 2016. Much like trade data yesterday, the main drag was exports with new export orders declining at its strongest pace in more than two years.
Elsewhere in the region, equities were more buoyant with Chinese stocks trading higher on the day after US stocks turned things around in overnight trading. Earnings were a big factor in helping to lift the gloom with IBM leading the charge, helping to aid the recovery yesterday.
The Hang Seng is up by 0.3% currently while the Shanghai Composite is up by 0.4% ahead of the final hour of trading. That said, risk sentiment is still rather tepid as US equity futures are flat at the moment reflecting the tones seen in USD/JPY and Treasuries to start the day.
