· Asian shares eked out small gains on Tuesday as expectations that Beijing will maintain support for its economy ahead of a key congress supported Chinese stocks and metals prices, but worries about North Korea kept many investors on edge.
MSCI’s index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.2 percent thanks to gains in Chinese shares, though many markets were in the red.
· Japan’s Nikkei share average brushed one-week lows in choppy trade on Tuesday as tensions on the Korean peninsula sapped risk appetite.
The Nikkei shed 0.6 percent to end at 19,385.81 after initially opening slightly higher. It fell as low as 19,354.59, its weakest level since Aug. 29. Index heavyweight Fast Retailing dropped on weak sales.
· Chinese shares inched higher for the third session to fresh 20-month highs, apparently unfazed by tensions over North Korea, and bolstered by expectations economic growth will largely remain solid through year-end despite tighter policy.
The blue-chip CSI300 index rose 0.3 percent, to 3,857.05 points, while the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.1 percent to 3,384.32 points.
· Hong Kong shares finished unchanged on Tuesday, with investors remaining in a defensive mood on persistent concerns over North Korea.
The Hang Seng index was unchanged at 27,741.35 points, while the China Enterprises Index, a gauge of mainland industry leaders listed in Hong Kong, gained 0.1 percent, to 11,191.59 points.
Reference: Reuters, CNBC
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