HONG KONG, Nov 05, 2013 (AFP) Asian markets were mixed on Tuesday as traders await the release of growth and jobs data out of the United States, while Tokyo was hit by a stronger yen and a slump by car giant Nissan.
The euro saw further selling pressure as investors bet the European Central Bank will cut interest rates following soft inflation data last week.
Tokyo rose 0.17 percent, or 23.80 points to 14,225.37 and Seoul fell 0.56 percent, or 11.24 points to 2,013.93.
Sydney climbed 0.77 percent, or 41.5 points, to 5,432.0 after Australia's central bank kept interest rates on hold at a record low as it studies the effects of recent cuts aimed at boosting the economy.
And in the afternoon Hong Kong dipped 0.37 percent and Shanghai edged up 1.00 percent.
Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur were closed for public holidays.
With few catalysts to drive buying, traders are looking to the US figures for a handle on when the Federal Reserve will begin reeling in its stimulus programme, which has been credited with a global stocks rally at the start of the year.
While a strong set of results on gross domestic product and non-farm payrolls will be positive economically, they would also suggest the bank will start winding down the programme -- which is worth $85 billion a month -- sooner rather than later.
Wall Street saw small gains, with the Dow up 0.16 percent, the S&P 500 rising 0.36 percent and the Nasdaq adding 0.37 percent.
In currency trade the dollar edged down Tuesday after enjoying a recent rally on the speculation over Fed tapering.
The greenback was quoted at 98.47 yen in afternoon Tokyo trade, compared with 98.59 yen in New York. However, it is still up from 97.92 yen in Asia on Friday. Japanese markets were closed Monday for a public holiday.
The euro continued to fall after data showed eurozone inflation at a four-year low in October, fuelling talk the ECB will cut interest rates.
The single currency fetched $1.3492 and 132.86 yen on Tuesday, against $1.3516 and 133.25 yen in US trade.
On Japan's Nikkei index, Nissan sank 10.40 percent after slashing its full-year earnings forecast by about 15 percent on Friday, blaming expensive recalls and sluggish sales in Europe.
Sony, which tumbled 11.13 percent on Friday after cutting its full-year outlook by 40 percent, also edged up 0.06 percent Tuesday.
In oil trade New York's main contract West Texas Intermediate for December delivery eased four cents to $94.58 a barrel, while Brent North Sea crude for December climbed five cents to $106.28.
Gold dropped to $1,316.81 per ounce at 0635 GMT, compared with $1,313.60 on Monday.
In other markets:
-- Taipei fell 1.10 percent, or 91.94 points, to 8,262.20.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. eased 2.3 percent to Tw$106.5 while design house MediaTek was 0.58 percent lower at Tw$430.0.
-- Wellington rose 0.57 percent, or 28.03 points, to 4,938.70.
Fletcher Building was up 1.35 percent at NZ$9.73 and Contact Energy was down 0.57 percent at NZ$5.20.
