Asian markets end mixed on Thursday

 Asian equity markets ended mixed on Thursday despite U.S. stocks closing higher for the third straight session overnight to push further into positive territory for 2016. China stocks extended gains after the previous session's 2 percent jump, as markets took comfort in the likely prospect that US interest rates will rise at a slower pace. However, Japan's Nikkei fell to a near two-week low as a stronger yen trimmed the profit outlook for exporters, while investors stayed on the sidelines on the final day of Japan's financial year looking for more catalysts ahead.