SINGAPORE – Asia Pacific stocks were mixed on Wednesday morning as investors waited for the release of Australia’s fourth quarter gross domestic product data.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 and Topix indexes rose 0.4% each. South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.22%.
Australian stocks rose as the S&P / ASX 200 gained approximately 0.7%.
MSCI’s broadest index for stocks in the Asia-Pacific region outside of Japan rose 0.16%.
Data ahead
In terms of economic data, Australia’s fourth quarter GDP pressure is expected to be released around 8:30 a.m. HK / SIN.
A private survey on the activity of the Chinese service sector in February is also expected on Wednesday. The Caixin / Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index for Services is expected to be released at 9:45 am HK / SIN.
Currencies
The US dollar index, which tracks the greenback versus a basket of its peers, was 90.785 – less than 91 at the start of the week.
The Japanese yen was trading at 106.73 per dollar, still weaker than below 105.7 versus the greenback last week. The Australian dollar changed hands at $ 0.7819 after trading at $ 0.774 yesterday.
Here’s a look at what’s on tap:
- Australia: 4th quarter GDP printing at 8:30 a.m. HK / SIN
- China: Caixin / Markit Services Purchasing Managers Index at 9:45 a.m. HK / SIN
Subscribe to CNBC PRO for exclusive insights and analysis as well as live business day programs from around the world.
– CNBC’s Kevin Breuninger contributed to this report.
