Investing.com - Asian shares were narrowly mixed on Thursday in thin trade with Tokyo out for a public holiday and caution ruling ahead of nonfarm payrolls data in the U.S on Friday and the Nov. 8 vote next week to cap a bitter U.S. presidential election.
The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.06%, while the Shanghai Composite edged up 0.04%.
Australia's September trade balance came in at a deficit of A$1.227 billion, narrower than the deficit of A$1.7 billion seen. Exports rose A$426 million owing mainly to a 12% increase in coal exports while imports fell A$244 million as a result of a 3% fall in consumption-goods imports.
The Caixin services PMI reading on China for October came in at 52.4, a tick below the 52.5 expected, but above the previous level of 52.0. "Overall, the economy continued to expand in October and at a stronger growth rate. It may be possible to sustain this stable condition throughout the fourth quarter, but it's important that supportive policies are not relaxed because the economy still lacks sufficient growth momentum." said Zhengsheng Zhong, director of Macroeconomic Analysis at CEBM Group, a research subsidiary of Caixin.
Overnight, U.S. stocks were lower after the close on Wednesday, as losses in the Utilities, Telecoms and Oil & Gas sectors led shares lower.
At the close in NYSE, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.43% to hit a new 3-months low, while the S&P 500 index fell 0.65%, and the NASDAQ Composite index fell 0.93%.
The Federal Reserve said the case for a rate hike by the end of the year remains in place as it held rates steady as expected on on Wednesday, adding few tweaks to its statement that still short of sending a very strong signal.
The policymaking Federal Open Market Committee voted 8 to 2 to continue targeting the 0.25% to 0.50% range for the fed funds rate, where it has been since liftoff last December.
The U.S. presidential race has been rocked after the FBI said last Friday that it would review more emails related to Hillary Clinton's private email use while she was secretary of state.
The news sparked fresh uncertainty over Mrs. Clinton’s election prospects ahead of the November 8 vote, amid fears over the implications of a victory for Republican candidate Donald Trump.