It was a weak upward trend for leading stock exchange indexes in Asia in Tuesday's initial trading, in a week where stock market participants are eagerly awaiting important economic data on the state of the American economy.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index was up 0.2 percent and the broader Topix up 0.6 percent after a few hours of trading.
In China, the composite indexes in Shanghai – down 0.2 percent – and Shenzhen – up 1.1 percent – went in different directions.
From China, statistics were released on Saturday showing that industrial activity declined for the fourth consecutive month, a development that increases demands and expectations that the Chinese state will deliver stimulus packages.
In Hong Kong and South Korea, the Hang Seng and Kospi were just above zero.
