Asian markets start with mixed signals today

Japanese equities experienced gains on Thursday as the yen traded weaker against the US dollar, but Australian stocks were less opportune, with the local bourse weighed down by miners. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 0.35% to 20,666.69 points within the first hour of trade, while Tokyo's broader Topix gauge climbed 0.30% to 1,660.40 points.

Economic data out of Japan on Thursday showed the merchandise trade deficit shrinking to ¥69.0 billion in June from ¥217.2 billion in May, coming in worse than the surplus of ¥45.8 billion picked by analysts. Exports rose 9.5% year-on-year, while imports fell 2.9%.

Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng index advanced 0.10% to 25,304.79 points at the opening bell, and mainland China's benchmark Shanghai Composite eased 0.10% lower to 4,021.90 points at the same time.

Korea's benchmark Kospi index slipped 0.12% to 2,062.30 points this morning in Seoul.

The benchmark Australian S&P/ASX 200 index fell 0.46% to 5,588.60 points in Sydney, with most miners trading lower.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index eased 0.15% to 5,918.73 points this afternoon in Wellington.

The Indian market has opened flat but quickly slipped into red. The Sensex is down 19.92 points at 28485.01, and the Nifty is down 5.20 points at 8628.30.