Asian markets mixed as Europe fears return

HONG KONG: Concerns over Europe's debt crisis returned to the forefront on hursday, leaving Asian markets mixed while the euro continued to be pressured by the dollar and yen.

Despite an upbeat set of economic data from the United States and Europe, dealers turned their attention to indebted Greece and Spain while banks deposited a record amount of cash with the ECB, raising credit crunch fears.

Tokyo fell 0.54 percent by the break, Hong Kong was 0.30 up, Sydney shed 1.20 percent, Shanghai was up 0.18 percent and Seoul gained 0.17 percent.

The euro -- which hit an 11-year-low 98.71 against the yen early this week - continued to be sold.

In early Asian trade it fetched 99.12 yen and $1.2932, compared with 99.28 yen and $1.2941 in New York late Wednesday.

The dollar was flat at 76.70 yen.

Oil eased slightly after hitting eight-month highs in New York late Wednesday as the United States and the Europe Union moved closer to imposing fresh sanctions on Iran over its alleged nuclear weapons programme.

Tehran has warned any embargo would lead it to close off the key Gulf oil shipping lane the Strait of Hormuz.

On Wednesday Iran renewed its warning to the United States against keeping a US naval presence in the oil-rich Gulf, stoking tensions between the foes.

New York's main contract light sweet crude for delivery in February lost six cents to $103.16 per barrel and Brent North Sea crude for February delivery shed four cents to $113.66.

Gold stood at $1,614.95 an ounce at 0210 GMT compared with $1,602.40 late Wednesday.