Li Fung

Jobless Americans Rattle Asian Markets

Rising applications in the U.S. for unemployment claims sent Asian shares lower today. In Japan the Nikkei 225 Index slid 0.9% and in China the Shanghai Composite Index slipped 1.3%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng inched up 0.2%.

Chinese Building Boom and U.S. Optimism Boost Asian Shares

A building boom -- and the constrained supply of materials due to mandated energy cuts -- sent Chinese cement, metal and building-equipment stocks up Thursday. Meanwhile, Hong Kong and Japanese exporters benefited from improving consumer sentiment and falling unemployment in the U.S.