Trading in Asia was cautious on Thursday as investors
awaited central bank decisions in Japan and Europe. The Bank of Japan is
expected to leave its monetary policy on hold as it wraps up a two-day review.
Traders will be looking for any comments regarding the recent spate of weak
economic data as a result of April's sales tax rise. Later in the day, focus
will be on the European Central Bank's policy meeting, with some anticipating
it could unveil new stimulus measures following dismal inflation and factory
activity data.
In geopolitical news, Russian President Vladimir Putin said
on Wednesday that he spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko on the
phone and while there was no peace deal, Putin issued a 7 point plan to end the
bloodshed in southeast Ukraine. Negotiators from Kiev, Moscow and
pro-separatist rebels are due for more talks on Friday.
China's Shanghai Composite was flat at 2,290.17.
Hong Kong's
Hang Seng was down 0.17 percent or 43.99 points at 25,273.96. Japan's Nikkei
was flat at 15,715.10.
Singapore's Straits Times was down 0.19 percent or 6.47
points at 3,342.30.
South Korea's Seoul Composite added 0.30 percent or 6.11
points at 2,057.31.
Taiwan's Taiwan Weighted shed 0.30 percent or 28.30 points
at 9,422.05.
√ Buy UPL, target of Rs 365 and stoploss at Rs 330
√ Buy Aurobindo Pharma, target of Rs 844 and stoploss at Rs 829
√ Sell Century Textile and Industries at 623 and stoploss at Rs 635
