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| Asian markets largely down after US growth figures | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Shares across Asia were largely down on Friday after US official numbers showed a sharp slowing in economic growth. | |
| Japan's Nikkei 225 opened flat and was down 0.12% in morning trade to 18,913.07. | |
| A string of official economic data ahead of Japan's central bank meeting has left analysts wondering if the bank will increase stimulus measures. | A string of official economic data ahead of Japan's central bank meeting has left analysts wondering if the bank will increase stimulus measures. |
| There has been much speculation this week as to what - if anything - the bank will do to boost Japan's economy. | There has been much speculation this week as to what - if anything - the bank will do to boost Japan's economy. |
| On Friday, the government said Japan's core consumer inflation number fell 0.1% in September from a year ago; household spending fell 0.4% year-on-year; while unemployment remained steady at 3.4% compared to August. | On Friday, the government said Japan's core consumer inflation number fell 0.1% in September from a year ago; household spending fell 0.4% year-on-year; while unemployment remained steady at 3.4% compared to August. |
| "The renewed rise in inflation excluding fresh food and energy in September would provide a reason for the Bank of Japan to leave policy settings unchanged later today," said Japan economist Marcel Thieliant. | "The renewed rise in inflation excluding fresh food and energy in September would provide a reason for the Bank of Japan to leave policy settings unchanged later today," said Japan economist Marcel Thieliant. |
| "But the rebound in underlying inflation rests on shaky ground, and we still see good chances that Governor Kuroda will spring a surprise," he added. | "But the rebound in underlying inflation rests on shaky ground, and we still see good chances that Governor Kuroda will spring a surprise," he added. |
| China | |
| Investors are keenly watching shares in China after the government announced the end of its one-child policy. | |
| Shares in some companies that make baby products rose sharply after the decision. Danone and Nestle could benefit, because baby formula sales in China are expected to double in the next five years. | Shares in some companies that make baby products rose sharply after the decision. Danone and Nestle could benefit, because baby formula sales in China are expected to double in the next five years. |
| In early trade, however, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was down 0.21% at 3,365.62, while the Shanghai Composite was down 0.67% at 3,365.62. | |
| Elsewhere, in Australia, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.65% at 5,232.60 following Wall Street's lead. Mining-related shares weighed on the index after iron ore prices fell 0.6% to $49.65 a tonne. | |
| Investors will be also be watching shares in the country's biggest supermarket chain, Woolworths, after they closed down almost 10% on Thursday. The firm disappointed the market when it forecast a fall of up to 35% in net profits for the six months to December. | |
| South Korea's benchmark Kospi index was down 0.28% at 2,027.99. |