Investing.com - Asian stocks dipped on Thursday after electronics giant Panasonic predicted a net loss of JPY765 billion for the fiscal year, while Chinese output data slightly missed expectations.
During Asian trading on Thursday, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 0.27%,
Australia's S&P/ASX200 was down 0.88%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index was down 0.11%.
Panasonic's forecasts caught investors off guard, sending them chasing safe-haven greenback positions.
Elsewhere in China, the country's official purchasing managers' index rose to 50.2 in October from 49.8 in September, slightly missing expectations for a reading of 50.3.
Private-sector Chinese factory data beat expectations, however.
HSBC China Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 49.5 in October from 47.9 in September, beating expectations for 49.1, though stocks fell on Panasonic's profit warning early in the session.
Investors also shrugged off improving spirits in Europe as well.
Eurozone finance ministers are mulling giving Greece more time to meet deficit-reduction targets, and hopes Greece will be granted an extension sent the euro and other higher-yielding assets rising against the dollar earlier.
The euro also saw support from Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who said he would not rule out asking for a bailout.
Requesting financial assistance would allow Spain to tap the European Central Bank's bond-buying program, which would lower yields in Spanish government debt auctions and ease credit conditions in the country.
In Hong Kong, top decliners included PetroChina, down 1.80%, CNOOC, down 1.37%, and Bank of East Asia, down 1.22%.
In Australia, top decliners included Arrium, down 12.10%, Bathurst Resources, down 8.05%, and Mineral Deposits, down 5.92%.
European stock futures indicated a mixed opening.
France's CAC 40 futures pointed to a loss of 0.09%, while Germany's DAX 30 futures pointed to a loss of 0.08%. Meanwhile in the U.K., FTSE 100 futures were unchanged.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.26%, while the S&P 500 futures were down 0.34%.
Later Thursday, the U.S. will release its weekly government report on initial jobless claims, as well as official data on nonfarm productivity and labor costs, important inflationary indicators.
In addition, the Institute of Supply Management is to publish data on U.S. manufacturing activity.
During Asian trading on Thursday, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 0.27%,
Australia's S&P/ASX200 was down 0.88%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index was down 0.11%.
Panasonic's forecasts caught investors off guard, sending them chasing safe-haven greenback positions.
Elsewhere in China, the country's official purchasing managers' index rose to 50.2 in October from 49.8 in September, slightly missing expectations for a reading of 50.3.
Private-sector Chinese factory data beat expectations, however.
HSBC China Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 49.5 in October from 47.9 in September, beating expectations for 49.1, though stocks fell on Panasonic's profit warning early in the session.
Investors also shrugged off improving spirits in Europe as well.
Eurozone finance ministers are mulling giving Greece more time to meet deficit-reduction targets, and hopes Greece will be granted an extension sent the euro and other higher-yielding assets rising against the dollar earlier.
The euro also saw support from Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who said he would not rule out asking for a bailout.
Requesting financial assistance would allow Spain to tap the European Central Bank's bond-buying program, which would lower yields in Spanish government debt auctions and ease credit conditions in the country.
In Hong Kong, top decliners included PetroChina, down 1.80%, CNOOC, down 1.37%, and Bank of East Asia, down 1.22%.
In Australia, top decliners included Arrium, down 12.10%, Bathurst Resources, down 8.05%, and Mineral Deposits, down 5.92%.
European stock futures indicated a mixed opening.
France's CAC 40 futures pointed to a loss of 0.09%, while Germany's DAX 30 futures pointed to a loss of 0.08%. Meanwhile in the U.K., FTSE 100 futures were unchanged.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.26%, while the S&P 500 futures were down 0.34%.
Later Thursday, the U.S. will release its weekly government report on initial jobless claims, as well as official data on nonfarm productivity and labor costs, important inflationary indicators.
In addition, the Institute of Supply Management is to publish data on U.S. manufacturing activity.