Asian shares were mixed Thursday after US stocks closed lower, giving back some of its gains a day after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record highs.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 edged up 0.2 per cent in early trading to 22,247.14. South Korea’s Kospi fell nearly 0.3 per cent to 2,195.56.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped 0.5 per cent to 29,805.83, while the Shanghai Composite inched up nearly 0.1 per cent to 3,201.61. Australia’s trading was closed for Anzac Day, a national holiday.
Investors are also watching for the US economic growth data being released later in the week.
The S&P 500 index fell 6.43 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 2,927.25. The benchmark index closed at a record high on Tuesday.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 59.34 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 26,597.05. The Nasdaq composite lost 18.81 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 8,102.01.
The index was also coming off a record high close, reports AP.
Benchmark US crude lost 30 cents to $65.59 a barrel. It fell 0.6 per cent to settle at $65.89 per barrel. Oil had been climbing recently since dropping below $43 in late December.
Brent crude fell 26 cents to $74.31 per barrel.
The dollar rose to 112.14 Japanese yen from 111.85 yen. The euro weakened to $1.1150 from $1.1206.