Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:47:56 GMT
Asian stocks finish lower on Thursday
Asian share markets closed lower on Thursday as Chinese government's and HSBC's estimates of nation's manufacturing activity differed, raising concerns whether economy expanded or contracted in February amid worries government won't provide monetary easing. Appreciating Yen also put downward pressure on Asian shares. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 1.0%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index tumbled 1.4% and Japan's Nikkei Stock Average slipped 0.2%. Shanghai Composite