Asian shares mixed ahead of key data

Asian markets were mixed in edgy trade on Tuesday following a pick-up on Wall Street as investors await key economic news from around the world later in the week. Hong Kong was flat and Shanghai added 0.27 per cent, while Sydney eased 0.11% and Seoul was 0.33% lower. Tokyo was closed for a public holiday. US shares mostly bounced back on Monday after tumbling at the end of last week, with attention now on a Federal Reserve announcement Wednesday on plans for its stimulus programme. On Friday non-farm payrolls data will be released, giving a handle on the state of the world’s number one economy. Friday will also see the release of surveys of manufacturing activity from around the world, with the main focus on China. Dealers are hoping for signs that a recent slowdown in the Asian economic giant has bottomed out, according to AFP.