Asia stocks mixed as investors react to China’s manufacturing activity data, U.S. presidential debate

Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Wednesday as investors reacted to the release of China’s manufacturing activity data for September.

Mainland Chinese markets were mixed on the day, with the Shanghai composite down 0.2% to about 3,218.05 while the Shenzhen component was fractionally higher at around 12,907.4

Japan markets were lower, with the Nikkei 225 shedding 1.5% to close at 23,185.12 while the Topix index declined 1.97% to finish its trading day at 1,625.49.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 0.79% to close at 23,459.05. Shares of China Evergrande Group listed in the city soared 19.39% after the property developer struck a deal with some investors of its unit, Hengda Real Estate. Evergrande’s stock has been extremely volatile in recent days amid concerns over the firm’s financial situation.

Elsewhere, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 2.29% to close at 5,815.90. Overall, the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index was near flat, about 0.05% higher.