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Japanese shares up despite trade data Japanese shares up despite trade data
(about 4 hours later)
Japanese shares headed higher on Thursday despite trade data for August coming in below market expectations.Japanese shares headed higher on Thursday despite trade data for August coming in below market expectations.
Exports rose 3.1% from a year ago, less than forecasts of a 4% increase, while imports fell a more-than-expected 3.1% in the same period. Exports rose 3.1% from a year ago, falling short of the 4% predicted, while imports fell a more-than-expected 3.1% in the same period.
Investors also ignored a credit rating downgrade for Japan by US ratings agency S&P due to a weakening outlook for the economy. Investors also ignored a credit rating downgrade for Japan by US ratings agency S&P, because of a weakening outlook for the economy.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index was up 1.3% to 18,408.76 in morning trade. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed up 1.4% to 18,432.27.
Australian shares headed higher, following the global lead as US shares were positive ahead of the Federal Reserve's decision on whether to raise interest rates for the first time in almost a decade. The index has risen for a third consecutive day.
"Price action in European and US equity markets suggests no-one wants to be left behind if the Federal Reserve announces something risk friendly," said Chris Weston, chief market strategist at trading firm IG. Australian shares headed higher, following the global lead, after US shares were positive ahead of the Federal Reserve's decision on whether to raise interest rates for the first time in almost a decade.
"Price action in European and US equity markets suggests no-one wants to be left behind if the Federal Reserve announces something risk-friendly," said Chris Weston, chief market strategist at trading firm IG.
In Sydney, the S&P/ASX 200 index closed up 0.9% to 5,146.80 points.
China trades mixedChina trades mixed
Chinese shares opened mixed after mainland shares rallied to close up nearly 5% on Wednesday. Chinese shares headed higher, following on from Wednesday's trend, when mainland shares rallied to close up nearly 5%.
The Shanghai Composite was down 0.9% to 3,125.35, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was higher by 0.6% to 22,092.68 in early trade. The Shanghai Composite was up 1.6% to 3,202.42, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was higher by 0.6% at 22,089.24 in afternoon trade.
In Sydney, the S&P/ASX 200 index was up 1.6% to 5,179.70 points. South Korea's benchmark Kospi index finished trading flat at 1,976.49 as investors awaited the Fed's decision.
South Korea's benchmark Kospi index was higher by 0.3% to 1,982.26.