Asian stocks traded mixed Thursday as investors digested a slew of economic data from China. The pound gave back some of Wednesday’s surge as traders positioned for the next steps in the Brexit saga. Shares edged higher in Hong Kong and Japan, were little changed in South Korea and slipped in China after retail sales data was in line with expectations and industrial production data slightly below. Earlier, the S&P 500 Index climbed to a four-month high as it held above the key 2,800 level. Helping buoy sentiment was data showing U.S. orders for business equipment increased in January by the most in six months and a producer price index signalled modest pressure on inflation. Treasury yields steadied and the yen weakened.

-  Bloomberg 


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