The shares in Asia-Pacific were higher in Wednesday morning trade, with investors looking ahead to the release of a private survey on Chinese factory activity for May.
The Topix index in Japan increased by 0.64%.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.25. Australia's first-quarter gross domestic product data is due to be released at 9:30 a.m. Today is HK/SIN.
The broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares was little changed.
Markets in South Korea are closed on Wednesday for a holiday.
The Caixin/Markit manufacturing Purchasing Managers index for May is scheduled to be released at 9:45 a.m. On Wednesday.
China's official manufacturing index for May came in at 48.6, an improvement over the previous month's reading of 47.4. The May reading was above the 48.6 level that was expected but still below the 50 point mark that separates growth from contraction. The readings represent month-on-month expansion or contraction.
The S&P 500 fell to 4,132.15. The average dropped 222.84 points. The tech-laden index dipped by 0.41%.
| TICKER | COMPANY | NAME | PRICE | CHANGE | %CHANGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikkei 225 Index | *NIKKEI | 27459.76 | 179.96 | 0.66 | |
| Hang Seng Index | *HSI | 21415.2 | 0 | 0 | |
| S&P/ASX 200 | *ASX 200 | 7224.1 | 12.9 | 0.18 | |
| Shanghai | *SHANGHAI | 3185.17 | -1.26 | -0.04 | |
| KOSPI Index | *KOSPI | 2685.9 | 16.24 | 0.61 | |
| CNBC 100 ASIA IDX | *CNBC 100 | 8749.73 | 33.49 | 0.38 |
The US dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 101.747 after a recent decline.
The Japanese currency traded at 128.79 per dollar, which is weaker than the levels seen against the US currency earlier in the week. The Australian dollar is still stronger than it was last week.
The price of oil was higher in the morning of Asia trading hours. The price of U.S. crude increased to $115.21 per barrel.
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