Asian markets start August lower

Asian shares have started August lower as disappointing economic data from China weighed on investors' confidence. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was down 0.8% to 20,426.1 in early trade. Chinese shares opened lower with the Shanghai Composite down 1.4% to 3,611.48, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was also 1.4% lower at 24,286.2. In Australia, the ASX/200 was down 0.4% at 5,677.7 points. South Korean shares were lower despite data showing that the current account surplus in June hit a record high as exports surged, while imports fell. The seasonally adjusted current account surplus rose to a preliminary $10.8bn from a revised $6.4bn in May. Exports were up 8.8% from a month ago, while imports fell 3%. The Kospi index was down 1% to 2,010.39 points, according to BBC.

-SRS