Market Report – Asia Shares Mixed

Asian stocks were mixed today ahead of the latest U.S. payrolls report, while the U.S. dollar remained near a three-week low against the euro.

The U.S. unemployment rate is forecast to rise to a 26-year high of 9.6 percent, testing the world’s confidence in an economic recovery.

Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s Kospi edged down, while Taiwan’s stock market hit a one-month high as technology exporters gained.

Toyota denied a report it was considering building derivatives of Mercedes-Benz’s A- and B-Class cars on its own platform to better utilize its European plants.

Nissan shares rose after U.S. sales data for June showed it outperformed both Toyota and Honda. Nissan posted a 23 percent drop, saying some signs of stabilizing demand are emerging.

And Hong Kong and China-listed stocks rose as strong manufacturing data from the Mainland boosted investor confidence about economic recovery there.

(NTDTV)