Asian shares mixed after US rally, positive data

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mixed Wednesday after another U.S. rally spurred by positive economic data, even while the coronavirus pandemic has regions around the world battling recessions.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 edged up 0.5% to finish at 23,247.15. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.8% to 6,063.20, although the nation reported its worst drop in GDP ever, with a 7% contraction in the April-June quarter.

South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.5% to 2,361.43. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped nearly 0.1% to 25,162.38, while the Shanghai Composite was little changed at 3,409.43.

Shares fell in India, Taiwan and most of Southeast Asia.

Investor sentiment was lifted by better-than-expected economic data overnight. The U.S. Commerce Department said construction spending in the U.S. edged higher in July, breaking a string of losses due to disruptions caused by the pandemic.

“A positive tone had been assumed by Asia markets, finding inspiration from Wall Street with the gains notched overnight,” said Jingyi Pan, market strategist at IG in Singapore.

“Although the U.S. economy is nowhere near the state before the COVID-19 hit yet, these evidences of continued recovery nevertheless works in the favor of keeping the cautious optimism and the equity rally going," she said in a commentary.

The Institute for Supply Management said its latest manufacturing index increased last month, reflecting a faster pace of expansion by American factories.

Investors will be looking for more clues on the state of the economic recovery this week, including the monthly U.S. jobs report on Friday.

Wall Street kicked off September with another set of milestones Tuesday, as an afternoon rally carried the S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite to all-time highs.

The S&P 500 jumped 0.8% to...