The Asian markets made a mixed start with some indices gaining on hopes that China will step up measures to stimulate the economy after its services industry weakened. China’s non-manufacturing industries expanded at the weakest pace since at least March 2011. As per the National Bureau of Statistics and China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing, the purchasing managers’ index fell to 53.7 from 56.3 in August. However, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index has gained over half a percent as it resumed trading following a long weekend and the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index of mainland companies climbed 0.7 percent.
Hang Seng was up by 84.64 points or 0.41% to 20,925.02, Nikkei 225 gained 9.05 points or 0.10% to 8,795.10.
On the other hand Jakarta Composite was down by 4.82 points or 0.11% to 4,251.30, KLSE Composite lost 9.98 points or 0.60% to 1,641.05, Straits Times was lower by 5.92 points or 0.19% to 3,073.28 and Taiwan Weighted declined by 5.99 points or 0.09% to 7,711.63.
Markets in China and Korea are closed today for holidays.