Stocks in Asia are mixed on Thursday, in.....>

STOCKS: Stocks in Asia are mixed on Thursday, in Japan the Nikkei 225 is up 295

points at 23,393 posting the first rise in 7 days and kicking off February in

the green. The index is boosted by a weaker yen, USD/JPY last up 15 pips at

109.34 as markets sit up and take notice of a dovish BoJ. The index is also

taking a positive lead from US stocks where a hawkish Fed helped spur risk on

trade. All 11 sectors on the Nikkei 225 are in the green, led higher by Energy

as WTI rises back above the $64/bbl handle. 

- In China the Shanghai Comp. is down 30 points at 3,450, in Hong Kong the Hang

Seng is down 20 points at 32,871. This is the 4th day of declines for Chinese

stocks. Chinese indices saw a brief move higher after Caixin Manufacturing PMI

printed in line with estimates, but this move was quickly pared.

- In Australia the ASX 200 is up 46 points at 6,048. 10/11 sectors are in the

green, led higher by Energy and Materials as oil and metals gain again, BHP

Billiton gained after reports that their shale unit sale will be accelerated.

Financials are also higher, led by gains in Westpac where a 1.4% advance has

erased the decline in January.