Asian markets traded mostly higher on Tuesday despite a lacklustre lead from Wall Street, where US stocks closed down on weak economic data.
Asian markets traded mostly higher despite a lacklustre lead from Wall Street, where US stocks closed lower.
US data on Monday showed weaker manufacturing activity and a modest gain in consumer spending as investors awaited the July jobs figures on Friday.
Chinese shares headed higher after the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges revised rules on short-selling in an attempt to reduce market volatility.
They could provide a key clue on the timing of when the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates.
The Shanghai Composite rose 2.4% to 3,711.12, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was 0.1% higher at 24,433.56.
The Nikkei traded flat at 20,535.72.
The changes prevent short-sellers from borrowing and repaying securities on the same day.
A stronger yen weighed on the Japanese benchmark index, because it makes its exporters less competitive overseas and lowers their profits.
It is the latest attempt by authorities to stem recent losses on the market.
The dollar was at 123.93 yen, down from 123.99 yen in New York overnight.
Australian shares were higher after the central bank decided to leave interest rates unchanged at a record low of 2%.
More Chinese measures
The move was widely expected by economists and the benchmark ASX 200 index closed up 0.3% at 5,697.90.
Chinese shares opened higher after the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges revised rules on short-selling in a bid to reduce market volatility.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index closed down 0.1% at 20,520.36.
The changes prevent short-sellers from borrowing and repaying securities on the same day, and are the latest in a series of measures to stem recent sharp losses.
Shares of Toyota ended 1% lower ahead of its earnings report, which showed a 10% rise in first quarter net profit, beating expectations.
The Shanghai Composite was up 0.9% to 3,653.92, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was higher by 0.2% to 24,453.34.
In Seoul, the Kospi shares index finished up 1% at 2,027.99, rebounding from its lowest since mid-March on Monday.
Australian shares were higher in early trade, but investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of the central bank's decision on interest rates later in the day.
The benchmark ASX 200 was up 0.8% at 5,727.1 points.
Economists widely expect the Reserve Bank of Australia to leave rates unchanged at a record low of 2%.
In Seoul, the Kospi index was up 0.5% at 2,018.1 after closing down on Monday.
