Asian stocks mixed as attention turns to China data

TOKYO (AP) - Asian shares were mixed Wednesday as attention focused on key economic indicators from China that will set the tone for regional growth prospects.

KEEPING SCORE: Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 was little changed, inching down 0.1 percent at 19,654.51. South Korea's Kospi lost 0.7 percent to 1,983.66. Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.2 percent at 22,445.32 while the Shanghai Composite fell 0.3 percent to 3,629.86. Taiwan markets were lower but shares were higher in Singapore and Thailand.

CHINA FACTOR: Investors were closely watching for the latest indicators out of China, including retail sales and industrial production, as the region is counting on growth there.

THE QUOTE: "Market focus will be on today's release of fixed asset investment and industrial production to gauge if there has been an interim stabilization," says Chang Wei Liang, Singapore Treasury Division of Mizuho Bank, referring to China data, following the inflation indicator from Tuesday that suggested a need for further easing and stimulus measures.

WALL STREET: The Dow Jones industrial average rose 27.73 points, or 0.2 percent, to 17,758.21. The Standard & Poor's 500 index added 3.14 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,081.72. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite gave up 12.06 points, or 0.2 percent, to 5,083.24.

ENERGY: Benchmark U.S. crude dipped 45 cents to $43.76 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, a benchmark for international oils, fell 23 cents to $47.87 a barrel in London.

CURRENCIES: The dollar slipped to 122.94 yen from 123.19 yen. The euro rose to $1.0756 from $1.0721.

___

AP Markets Writer Marley Jay in New York contributed to this report. Follow him at twitter.com/MarleyJayAP

Follow Yuri Kageyama at twitter.com/yurikageyama