Mixed

A mixed day for equity markets in the Asia time zone on Thursday after US stocks lacked decisive direction; bourses in Japan have squeezed out some small gains alongside indices in Taiwan and South Korea. Markets in mainland China and Australia are lower, with losses also seen in EM indices. In China the PBOC injected liquidity for the first time since March. In the US futures are higher, markets digest comments from Fed speakers late yesterday; Fed's Kaplan said tapering could be on the cards sooner than markets expect, while Fed's Bostic said asset purchases could be slowed in the coming months. Fed's Rosengren said the recovery was robust but highlighting the progress needs to be made on the labour market and noting risks around inflation.