Asian shares mixed after China growth data

Asian markets were mixed Wednesday, with investors unimpressed by data showing better than expected Chinese economic growth in the second quarter. The dollar held on to gains made in New York. Tokyo dipped 0.10 per cent, or 15.86 points, to finish at 15,379.30, while Sydney rose 0.14 per cent, or 7.6 points, to 5,518.9 and Seoul edged up 0.76 points to 2,013.48. Shanghai eased 0.15 per cent, or 3.08 points, to 2,067.28 while Hong Kong added 0.27 per cent, or 63.32 points, to close at 23,523.28. China's National Bureau of Statistics said Wednesday the economy grew 7.5 percent in April-June. The figure beat the 7.4 per cent in the previous three months and exceeded the median forecast of 7.4 per cent. Dollar up on rate talk - In New York the three main indexes finished mixed Tuesday. The tech-heavy index ended 0.54 per cent lower, while the broad-based S&P 500 fell 0.19 per cent and the Dow inched up 0.03 per cent. On currency markets the dollar was at 101.69 yen in afternoon Tokyo trade, compared with 101.67 yen late in New York Tuesday and well up from the 101.50 yen earlier Tuesday in Asia. The euro bought $1.3551 and 137.81 yen compared with $1.3570 and 137.97 yen. Oil prices were higher. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for August delivery rose 62 cents to $100.58, while Brent crude was up $1.28 at $107.30 in afternoon trade. Gold fell to $1,296.30 an ounce at 0810 GMT compared with $1,312.34 late Tuesday. Taipei slipped 0.88 per cent, or 84.44 points, to 9.484.73. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co was 1.88 per cent lower at Tw$130.5 while Hon Hai Precision lost 3.15 per cent to Tw$107.5. Wellington was flat, edging down 1.15 points to 5,114.24. Air New Zealand was off 0.72 per cent at NZ$2.055 and Contact Energy slipped 1.83 per cent to NZ$5.35. Manila was closed because of Typhoon Rammasun, according to AFP.