06:54 AM EDT, 08/01/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Asian stock markets were mixed and lower Thursday, as a softer yen and a weak China factory report dulled investor appetites.

Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo finished in the red, as did most other regional exchanges.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened lower and slipped in trading, finishing off 2.5% as a strengthening yen undercut export issues.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 975.49 to 38,126.33, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 205 to 20.

Leading the upside was semiconductor-test equipment-maker Advantest, up 13.8%, while musical instrument giant Yamaha fell 6%, with both moves following earnings reports.

In economic news, the Japanese yen appreciated to under 150 to the US dollar, strengthening from more than 160 to the greenback at the start of July.

In other news, the headline Japan manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) declined to 49.1 in July from 50.0 in June, striking below the 50-marker that separates growth from contraction, reported S&P Global.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened evenly, wobbled, and finished off 0.2% after a private-sector PMI report pointed to industrial sluggishness in July.

The broad gauge Hang Seng fell 39.64 to 17,304.96, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 53 to 29. The Hang Seng TECH Index lost 1.1% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index fell 3.2%.

Leading the upside was utility-holding company Power Assets, gaining 5%, while autodealer Zhongsheng fell 6.6%.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite fell 0.2% to 2,932.39.

In economic news, the Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing PMI contracted to 49.8 in July from 51.8 in June, reported S&P Global.

On the other regional exchanges, the S. Korean KOSPI rose 0.3%; the Taiwan TWSE inclined 2%; the Australian ASX 200 inclined 0.2%; the Singapore Straits Times Index fell 1%, and the Thai Set inclined 0.1%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was up 0.2%.