This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30640116

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Australia shares up in thin holiday trade Chinese markets trade mixed on factory data
(about 2 hours later)
Australian shares traded higher on New Year's Eve in thin trade as Japanese and South Korean markets were closed for the holidays. Chinese shares traded mixed in thin holiday trade on manufacturing data that painted an even weaker picture of the world's second largest economy.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.1% at 5,422.7 despite losses on Wall Street overnight. Activity in China's factory sector shrank for the first time in seven months in December.
The final HSBC/Markit Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) was at 49.6, just below the 50 level that separates growth from contraction.
The number was slightly higher than a preliminary "flash" reading of 49.5.
But, it was still down from the final reading of 50 in November.
Investors mostly shrugged off the latest data with Hong Kong's Hang Seng index trading flat at 23,488.52, while the Shanghai Composite was up 0.4% to 3,177.47.
Shares of the world's biggest trainmakers China CNR and CSR jumped on news that they will merge, creating a super conglomerate that will compete with the likes of Germany's Siemens and Canada's Bombardier for global rail deals.
Hong Kong listed China CNR shares skyrocketed to over 42%, while CSR was higher by more than 32%.
Japan, South Korea closed
Australian shares traded flat on New Year's Eve in thin trade as Japanese and South Korean markets were closed for the holidays.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 was at 5,414.1 despite losses on Wall Street overnight.
The Dow Jones fell 0.4% to 17,973.48, while the S&P 500 lost 0.5% to 2,080.51, moving away from the record highs hit this week.The Dow Jones fell 0.4% to 17,973.48, while the S&P 500 lost 0.5% to 2,080.51, moving away from the record highs hit this week.
Shares of miner Rio Tinto got a bounce from higher iron ore prices.Shares of miner Rio Tinto got a bounce from higher iron ore prices.
It was up 1.8% after closing down 0.7% on Tuesday. It was up 1.4% after closing down 0.7% on Tuesday.
Investors are also keeping an eye on a private survey of Chinese manufacturing activity due later in the day.