2017.03.0904:52:00UTC+00Asian Markets Retreat After Mixed China Data

Asian equities were mostly lower on Thursday as China's inflation data showed a mixed outlook. Oil recovered during Asian hours, with the U.S. Texas Intermediate crude steady as it rose 0.64 percent to $50.60 per barrel while Brent crude climbed 0.83 percent to $53.55.

Japan's Nikkei 225 index closed 0.34 percent higher at 19,318.58 as the relatively weaker yen fueled buying. Australia's ASX 200 fell 0.32 percent at 5,741.2. The index was mostly pressured by the 1.13 percent decline in its energy sub-index as well as a 2.62 percent drop in the materials sub-index. South Korea's Kospi retreated 0.21 percent at 1,554.67. Shares of Samsung Electronics was little changed, Samsung C&T lost 0.83 percent while Samsung Heavy declined 3.29 percent.

Chinese mainland shares were in negative territory. The Shanghai composite dropped 0.74 percent at 3,216.58 while the Shenzhen composite ended 0.73 percent lower at 2,009.55. Hong Kong's Hang Seng tumbled 1.18 percent in mid-afternoon trade.

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