Asian stock markets were mixed Tuesday as jitters about China's economy overshadowed a perk from strong U.S. data and earnings, AP reported. Hong Kong's Hang Seng was down 1.2 percent at 22,754.69 as a drop in China's money supply unnerved investors ahead of first quarter economic growth figures due Wednesday. China's Shanghai Composite Index shed 1.4 percent to 2,102.79. China's leaders are targeting growth of 7.5 percent this year for the world's second-biggest economy. Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea's Kospi was down 0.2 percent to 1,993.14 while Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 0.6 percent to close at 13,996.81. The dollar holding close to 102 yen levels also helped underpin Tokyo share prices. A weak yen is a plus for many Japanese companies because they rely on exports. Stock markets in Southeast Asia were mostly higher and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.6 percent to 5,388.20. India's Sensex lost 0.9 percent to 22,425.33. The dollar was trading at 101.88 yen, inching up from 101.83 late Monday. The euro fell to $1.3817 from $1.3823. Benchmark U.S. crude for May delivery was down 78 cents at $103.27 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 31 cents Monday to settle at $104.05.
