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Asia shares mostly down, euro claws back losses

Hong Kong - Asia's markets mostly fell on Thursday, with investors unable to build on the previous day's advances after the S&P on Wall Street notched up another record.

With few catalysts to drive trade the dollar retreated from seven-month highs against the yen, while the euro clawed back some losses after Germany dampened speculation that the European Central Bank (ECB) would unveil new easing policies.

Australian flag-carrier Qantas was the standout performer, surging almost 7% on hopes for the next 12 months after it announced record annual losses of US$2.65bn.

Tokyo fell 74.96 points to 15 459.86, Sydney lost 26.78 points, to close lower at 5 624.4 and Seoul ended flat, edging up 0.83 points to 2 075.76.

Shanghai gave up 13.65 points, to end at 2 195.82 while Hong Kong lost 177.75 points, to 24 741.00.

Global markets are on a general uptrend as the US economy shows regular signs of getting back on track, in turn sending Wall Street to record highs.

With focus turning to the release of revised US economic growth data for April to June, trade was muted in New York on Wednesday, but still positive.

The S&P, which ended above 2 000 for the first time on Tuesday, ticked up 0.10 points to another record, while the Dow edged 0.09% higher. The Nasdaq eased a fraction but still sits at a 14-year high.

On currency markets the dollar fetched ¥103.76 in afternoon Asian trade, compared with ¥103.86 in New York and well down from the ¥104.20 levels seen earlier in the week.

The euro bought $1.3198 and ¥136.97, against $1.3195 and ¥137.05 in New York.

Qantas rallies despite record loss

The single currency picked up Wednesday from seven-month lows against the dollar after Germany's finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble downplayed the prospect of the ECB announcing fresh measures to protect the eurozone economy.

The euro had taken a hit at the start of the week, approaching a one-year low against the dollar, after ECB head Mario Draghi hinted the bank could unveil new steps to fend off deflation.

Draghi said last week the bank "will use all available instruments needed to ensure price stability over the medium term".

But Schaeuble said markets "over-interpreted" the remarks.

Shares in Qantas jumped 6.95% despite the airline announcing a huge loss in the year to June blamed on a writedown of its ageing international fleet.

However, the firm's chief executive Alan Joyce he expected "a rapid improvement in the group's financial performance -- and a return to underlying profit before tax in the first half" of the next fiscal year.

On oil markets US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for October delivery eased 36 cents to $93.52 while Brent crude slipped 19c to $102.53 in afternoon trade.

Gold traded at $1 292.23 an ounce at 13:28, from $1 284.54 late on Wednesday.

In other markets:

- Mumbai closed up 77.96 points at 26 638.11 points.

Tata Communications was up 16.10 rupees, at 376.30 rupees, while Indian Bank was down 7.20 rupees, at 136.65 rupees.

- Bangkok lost 5.53 points to 1 559.05.

Oil giant PTT fell 2.73% to 321.00 baht, while coal producer Banpu dropped 1.54% to 32.00 baht

- Kuala Lumpur's main index gained 3.30 points to 1 875.68.

Telekom Malaysia added 0.5% to 6.30 ringgit, while Malayan Banking rose 0.4% to 10.10. Public Bank fell 0.3% to 19.28 ringgit.

- Singapore closed down 0.34% at 3 330.22.

Real estate developer Capitaland fell 0.89% to Sg$3.33, while casino operator Genting Singapore eased 1.21% to Sg$1.23.

- Jakarta ended up 19.23 points, to 5 184.48.

State miner Aneka Tambang gained 1.26% at 1 205 rupiah, while telecommmunications company Telekomunikasi Indonesia lost 0.55% at 2 720 rupiah.

- Taipei was slightly lower, edging down 7.22 points to 9 478.37.

IT giant Acer rose 0.82% to Tw$24.6 while Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing fell 0.4% to Tw$125.0.

- Wellington slipped 6.19 points, to 5 237.51.

Trade Me was off 1.07 at NZ$3.70 and Air New Zealand added 1.84 percent to NZ$2.215 after Australian rival Qantas posted a record annual loss.

- Manila closed 0.83% lower, shedding 59.76 points to 7 100.70.

Philippine Long Distance Telephone fell 0.70% to 3 388.00 pesos and BDO Unibank eased 0.61% to 90.00 pesos, while Metropolitan Bank lost 0.23% to 86.00 pesos.


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