Asian stocks edged higher on Thursday but clung to recent well-worn trading ranges while the dollar held firm against regional currencies ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen at a global central bankers' meeting.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS edged 0.3 percent higher. It is down 1.6 percent after hitting a one-year high last Tuesday.
Japanese stocks edged down in thin trade on Thursday due to caution ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen on Friday, with global markets hoping for clues on the outlook for U.S. rates
The benchmark Nikkei shed 0.3 percent to 16,555.95.
China stocks ended at their lowest in nearly two weeks on Thursday, as banks and property companies eased after the government imposed stricter rules on lending to head off growing risks in the financial system.
The CSI300 index, which tracks the largest listed companies trading in Shanghai and Shenzhen, fell 0.6 percent to 3,308.97 points, while the Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.6 percent to 3,068.33. Both indexes hit their lowest since Aug. 12.
Hong Kong shares were little changed on Thursday, as investors choose not to make bets on either side ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen at a global central bankers' meeting.
The Hang Seng index was flat at 22,826.87, while the China Enterprises Index lost 0.1 percent, to 9,500.21 points.
Reference: Reuters
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