Asian markets mostly higher after weak Wall St lead

HONG KONG: Asian markets were mostly up on Thursday in quiet trade after an anaemic close on Wall Street, while the dollar's recent rally seemed to have levelled out just short of the 100 yen mark.

With few catalysts driving action eyes are moving to Friday's policy decision by the Bank of Japan to see if it adds to the huge stimulus measures unveiled earlier this month as part of a drive to kickstart the economy.

Tokyo was 0.14 percent higher by the break, Hong Kong added 0.41 percent, Shanghai fell 1.06 percent and Seoul added 0.42 percent.

Sydney and Wellington were closed for a public holiday.

Investors were unable to add to Wednesday's healthy advances after the weak US lead.

On Wall Street the Dow fell 0.29 percent, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were flat after weak earnings from AT&T and Procter & Gamble.

Adding to selling pressure was data showing US durable goods orders plunged 5.7 percent from February, adding to recent figures pointing to weakness in the world's largest economy.

Tokyo's Nikkei managed to edge out a positive close by lunch, continuing to rally on the back of a soft yen.

However the dollar dipped on Thursday, still unable to break the 100 yen barrier last seen in April 2009.