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· Asian shares pulled back from a one-and-a-half year peak on Thursday as investors took some money off the table ahead of holiday trade and looked to fresh data on the state of the global economy.

Investors were also watching proceedings in Washington where the Democrat-led U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach Republican U.S. President Donald Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Market reaction, however, has so far been limited as the Republican-controlled Senate is widely expected not to vote to remove Trump from office.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS briefly touched the highest since June 2018 but then fell 0.4%.

· Japan’s Nikkei share average ended lower on Thursday as profit-taking set in after a recent rally to 14-month highs, while technology conglomerate Hitachi spiked higher on its business portfolio restructuring.

The Nikkei share average ended 0.29% weaker at 23,864.85, slipping further from Tuesday’s 14-month peak of 14,091.12, while the broader Topix closed 0.13% lower at 1,736.11.

Markets showed no reaction to the Bank of Japan’s decision to keep its monetary policy on hold. The central bank, as expected, maintained its upbeat view on the economy, suggesting policymakers are in no hurry to boost stimulus even as global risks threaten a fragile recovery.

BOJ also gave out some details of a scheme, first announced in April, to lend ETFs it is holding.

Many investors were eager to take profits at current levels following gains of almost 20% since a bottom in August on hopes of a cyclical recovery in the global economy, and lately, on relief over a first phase Sino-U.S. trade deal.

· China’s benchmark equity market gauge ended flat on Thursday as investors awaited further details on the ‘phase one’ trade deal between Washington and Beijing.

The Shanghai Composite index finished unchanged at 3,017.07. The index has risen more than 5% this month as investors await further details on an interim trade agreement between the United States and China.

· European stocks opened cautiously higher Thursday as investors seemingly adopt a wait-and-see approach heading into the holiday season, with markets showing minimal reaction to U.S. President Donald Trump’s impeachment.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 edged around 0.15% higher in early trade, utilities adding 0.3% to lead gains as most sectors nudged tentatively into positive territory.