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Japan shares down ahead of ECB meeting Asian markets up ahead of ECB move
(about 5 hours later)
Japanese shares traded down on Thursday as investors awaited the outcome of the European Central Bank's (ECB) monetary policy meeting later in the day. Asian markets headed higher on Thursday as investors awaited the outcome of the European Central Bank's (ECB) monetary policy meeting.
The ECB is expected to announce a programme of bond purchases, known as quantitative easing, to prop up the eurozone economy. The ECB is expected to announce a programme of bond purchases, known as quantitative easing, to try to stimulate the eurozone economy.
The Nikkei 225 was down 0.1% at 17,262.8, while the dollar gained to 118.09 yen from 117.90 yen in New York trade. In Japan, the benchmark Nikkei 225 closed up 0.3% at 17,329.02.
Mainland Chinese shares were higher. The yen weakened against the dollar to 118.17, compared with 117.96 the previous day.
The Shanghai Composite index was up 0.2% to 3,329.78. Mainland Chinese shares continued to rise, building on Wednesday's surge when the market gained 4.7%. The Shanghai Composite index was up 0.4% at 3,336.6.
They had surged on Wednesday to close up 4.7% as investors made up for the heavy losses seen at the start of the week. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index rose 0.7% to 24,527.46.
Hong Kong shares were higher with the Hang Seng index up 0.7% to 24,528.92. Shares in Australia were also higher, with the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 finishing up 0.5% at 5,419.9.
In Australia, shares were also higher. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 up 0.6% to 5,425.4. Investor confidence in Australia was boosted by news that sales of new homes rose for a second straight month in November.
Investor sentiment was boosted by news that sales of new homes rose for a second straight month in November as sales of apartments hit their highest since 2003.
The Housing Industry Association survey showed that sales of new homes climbed 2.2% to a seven-month peak.The Housing Industry Association survey showed that sales of new homes climbed 2.2% to a seven-month peak.
South Korean shares were also up, with the Kospi index up 0.3% at 1,927.58. South Korean shares ended flat with the Kospi index at 1,920.82.
Shares of Hyundai Motors fell 2% after the carmaker reported that its net profit in the fourth quarter had fallen 22% from a year ago.