Asia Pacific stocks mixed as survey shows better-than-expected Chinese factory activity

Asia stocks were mixed on Wednesday as a private survey showed China’s factory activity for June was better than expected.

Mainland Chinese stocks led gains among the region’s markets, with the Shanghai composite up 1.38% to about 3,025.98 while the Shenzhen component added 1.006% to around 12,112.96.

Elsewhere, shares in South Korea shed earlier gains as the Kospi finished its trading day slightly lower at 2,106.70. The Nikkei 225 in Japan also closed 0.75% lower at 22,121.73 while the Topix index fell 1.29% to end its trading day at 1,538.61.

Over in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 advanced 0.62% to close at 5,934.40. Markets in Hong Kong were closed for trading on Wednesday for a holiday.

Overall, the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index rose 0.35%.