Asia stocks mixed after China flash PMI report; Japan shut
Asian stocks ended mixed on Tuesday following the release Chinese factory data but trade was quiet with Japan shut for the Autumnal Equinox holiday.
HSBC/Markit's preliminary gauge of Chinese factory activity for September rose to 50.5 from August's 50.2 final reading, beating expectations for a figure of 50. However, the optimism was offset by factory employment, which slumped to a five-and-a-half year low.
"With rumors that China is conceding defeat and will officially lower its growth target, along with speculation there won't be further stimulus, it was crucial for today's reading to show some positive signs. After last week's alarming property figures, concerns have certainly deepened and this will perhaps test officials' resolve and their commitment to only issuing targeted stimulus," said Stan Shamu, market strategist at IG.
Sentiment was also cautious after the U.S. and some Arab allies announced late on Monday that they carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Syria for the first time.
China markets higher
Mainland shares rallied 0.9 percent, rebounding following Monday's 2 percent loss, as investors cheered the PMI report.
Real-estate developers jumped on local media reports that China's top four state banks plan to ease rules on mortgage lending. China Merchants Property rose 2 percent while Poly Real Estate (Shanghai Stock Exchange: 48-SZ) and China Vanke (:Z2-CN) added more than 1 percent each.
Read More This is a key risk for Hong Kong's property stocks
Meanwhile, Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index (Hong Kong Stock Exchange: .HSI) posted modest losses following a choppy session.
ASX up 1%
Australian shares erased losses after dropping to their lowest level since March 27 earlier in the session. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar (Exchange:AUD=) rose above 89 U.S. cents, bouncing off Monday's seven-month low of $0.8854.
Miners rose with with Fortescue Metals (ASX:FMG-AU) over 2 percent higher and Rio Tinto (London Stock Exchange: RIO-GB) up 0.4 percent despite iron ore prices hitting fresh five-year lows overnight.
Read More Big miners struggle to tame China with iron ore glut
Kospi 0.5% lower
South Korea's benchmark Kospi (Korea Stock Exchange: .KS11) index was unable to track Asia-wide gains, extending losses into a second session.
Large-cap stocks suffered for a second day with Samsung Electronics (Korea Stock Exchange: 593-KR), Hyundai Motor (Korea Stock Exchange: 538-KR) and Kia Motors (Korea Stock Exchange: 27-KR) all tumbling more than 2 percent.
Nifty slips 1.5%
Indian shares closed lower due to large declines in blue chip stocks and ahead of the expiry of monthly derivatives contracts on Thursday.
