Investing.com - Asian stock markets were mixed on Tuesday, as investors digested data on China’s manufacturing sector, as well as a rate decision in Australia.
During late Asian trade, China’s Shanghai Composite inched up 0.04%, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 closed 0.37% lower, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 ended up 1.08%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng remained closed for a public holiday.
Shares in mainland China inched up after data showed that China’s official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index rose to a six-month high of 51.0 in June, in line with expectations and up from 50.8 in May.
Meanwhile, China’s final HSBC Purchasing Managers Index came in at 50.7, weaker than a preliminary reading of 50.8 but higher than May's 49.4 figure.
The upbeat data added to signs of a recovery in the world’s second largest economy.
Elsewhere, in Australia, the ASX/200 Index slumped to a two-week low after the Reserve Bank of Australia held its benchmark interest rate at a record low of 2.5% earlier in the session, in a widely expected decision.
The central bank reiterated that a period of stability in rates is likely to be "most prudent course."
The Aussie rose to an eight-month high of 94.62 U.S. cents from 94.27 U.S. cents in the prior session.
Meanwhile, in Tokyo, the Nikkei rallied to a one-week high as a slightly weaker yen boosted sentiment. The U.S. dollar strengthened to ¥101.52 against the yen, compared to Monday’s close of ¥101.30.
Looking ahead, European stock market futures pointed to a modestly higher open, as investors looked ahead to the European Central Bank's policy meeting later this week.
The DJ Euro Stoxx 50 futures pointed to a gain of 0.1%, France’s CAC 40 indicated a rise of 0.25%, Germany's DAX pointed to a gain of 0.2%, while London’s FTSE 100 indicated an increase of 0.2%.
Across the Atlantic, U.S. equity markets also pointed to a firm open. The Dow futures pointed to a gain of 0.1%, the S&P 500 added 0.15%, while the Nasdaq 100 indicated a rise of 0.2%.
The Institute of Supply Management is to publish a report on U.S. manufacturing activity later in the day.