Asia: Stocks end mixed after US jobs data, ECB policy decision
Asian stocks ended the week mixed as investors weighed the drop in US weekly jobless claims seen on Thursday ahead of the non-farm payrolls report.
Japan’s Nikkei ended 0.52% higher while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index dropped 0.42% and Shanghai fell 0.32%.
US initial jobless claims fell to 278,000 in the week to 1 November, after 288,000 claims a week earlier, more than the 285,000 forecast.
It comes before the Labor Department’s report which is expected to show US employers added 235,000 jobs in October, after adding 248,000 a month earlier.
The unemployment rate is forecast to hold at 5.9% in October.
The official monthly jobs data is an important indicator for Federal Reserve policymakers in gauging the health of the world’s biggest economy as the central bank considers when to raise interest rates.
In the Eurozone, the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to keep policy unchanged but said it was ready to implement further stimulus measures if needed. Draghi said that the Governing Council “is unanimous in its commitment to using additional unconventional instruments within its mandate”.
Company-wise, Citic Securities Co. advanced in Shanghai and Hong Kong amid speculation a share-trading link between the two cities will start soon.
Automotive parts firm Takata Corp. declined as the Japanese company widened its loss forecast in the wake of a scandal over faulty air bags.