HONG KONG: Asian markets were mixed Thursday after the US Federal Reserve said it would keep its loose monetary policy in place until there is stronger evidence that the economy is back on its feet.
The euro rose despite another round of downbeat data from debt-hit Europe, including economic pillar Germany.
Tokyo gained 1.13 percent, or 110.90 points, to 9,055.20 thanks to a weak yen and hopes for fresh monetary easing by Japan's central bank, while Seoul rose 0.55 percent, or 10.54 points, to 1,924.50 and Sydney closed 0.10 percent, or 4.7 points, higher at 4,510.5.
However, Hong Kong fell 0.14 percent in the afternoon after posting nine straight sessions of gains, while Shanghai eased 0.56 percent.
The Fed said Wednesday it would stick to its $40 billion a month bond-buying programme -- known as quantitative easing -- for as long as needed and keep interest rates at record lows until at least 2015.
Despite recent figures pointing to an improvement in the economy -- including in household spending and in the housing market -- the Federal Open Market Committee said growth remained at a "moderate" pace.
It pointed to a slowdown in business investment and a high unemployment rate, adding that there was still vulnerability to strains in the global economy.
"The decision to reaffirm their quantitative easing stance and maintain the guidance on short-term rates reflects a sober view of the domestic recovery," said Steven Ricchiuto, Chief Economist at Mizuho Securities USA in a note to clients.
"Global financial market risk and a depressed labour market were explicitly used to justify policy," he added, according to Dow Jones Newswires.
Wall Street ended in the red as corporate earnings continued to weigh. The Dow fell 0.19 percent, the S&P 500 shed 0.31 percent and the Nasdaq lost 0.29 percent.
In Europe, data showed German business confidence fell in October for the sixth month in a row to the lowest level since February 2010.
The Ifo economic institute's closely watched business climate index dropped to 100.0 points in October from 101.4 points in September. Analysts had expected a slight rise.
Adding to the bleak picture, research firm Markit's Composite Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), a survey of 5,000 eurozone businesses, fell to a 40-month low of 45.8 in October from 46.1 in September. Anything below 50 is considered a contraction.
The figures put pressure on the euro on Wednesday, sending it to $1.2921 in New York, before it recovered slightly.
In afternoon Asian trade the single currency bought $1.3005 and 104.21 yen, compared with $1.2972 and 103.49 yen in New York late Wednesday.
The dollar was at 80.14 yen against 79.79 yen.
The yen has come under pressure as dealers increasingly expect the Bank of Japan to announce a fresh round of monetary easing -- following another batch of weak indicators -- when it concludes a two-day policy meeting next week.
There is some hope for Greece after the country's finance minister said he had agreed a new austerity package with Athens' international creditors and won more time to fix the debt-crippled nation's finances.
However the European Union and International Monetary Fund said no firm deal had been done but progress had been made.
On oil markets New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in December was up 25 cents to $85.98 a barrel while Brent North Sea crude for December advanced 29 cents to $108.14.
Gold was at $1,712.50 at 0630 GMT compared with $1,708.50 late Wednesday.
In other markets:
-- Taipei fell 0.72 percent, or 52.80 points, to 7,262.08.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co was 0.70 percent lower at Tw$84.8 while leading smartphone maker HTC dived 5.88 percent at Tw$248.0.
-- Wellington fell 0.27 percent, or 10.96 points, to 3,990.49.
Fletcher Building eased 1.9 percent to NZ$7.21, Telecom lost 0.4 percent to NZ$2.47 and Contact Energy shed 0.4 percent to NZ$5.49.
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