Summary In afternoon trade, Hong Kong was up 0.33 percent and Shanghai added 0.47 percent.
HONG KONG (AFP) - Asian markets were mixed in edgy trade Tuesday following a pick-up on Wall Street as investors await key economic news from around the world later in the week.
The dollar maintained the gains against the yen it achieved in New York as dealers took in their stride a new wave of sanctions against Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis.
Seoul slid 0.23 percent, or 4.49 points, to 1,964.77 while Sydney lost 0.89 percent, or 49.5 points, to finish at 5,486.6. Tokyo was closed for a public holiday.
In afternoon trade, Hong Kong was up 0.33 percent and Shanghai added 0.47 percent.
US shares mostly bounced back on Monday after tumbling at the end of last week, with attention now on a Federal Reserve announcement Wednesday on plans for its stimulus programme.
On Friday non-farm payrolls data will be released, giving a handle on the state of the world's number one economy.
Friday will also see the release of surveys of manufacturing activity from around the world, with the main focus on China. Dealers are hoping for signs that a recent slowdown in the Asian economic giant has bottomed out.
On Wall Street the Dow added 0.53 percent and the S&P 500 rose 0.32 percent but the Nasdaq dipped 0.03 percent.
Singapore's United Overseas Bank (UOB) said traders were exercising caution "ahead of the US Fed meeting and US non-farm payroll data, as well as a holiday shortened trading week".
There was little reaction to another round of US sanctions against seven Russian officials and 17 Kremlin-linked firms. The European Union said it was adding 15 names to its own list.
The Western sanctions are a response to Russia's perceived failure to implement an April 17 deal struck in Geneva to defuse the crisis.
In Seoul market major Samsung Electronics sank 2.02 percent after saying operating profit fell for a second straight quarter owing to slowing sales of its smartphones.
The dollar bought 102.53 yen, compared with 102.45 yen late in New York but well up from 102.20 yen earlier Monday in Asia.
The euro fetched $1.3863 against $1.3851, while it was also at 142.17 yen from 141.95 yen.
Oil was up in Asia. US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate for June delivery, climbed 15 cents to $100.99 in afternoon trade. Brent North Sea crude for June rose 23 cents to $108.35.
Gold fetched $1,294.05 an ounce at 0640 GMT compared with $1,301.45 on Monday.
In other markets:
-- Taipei rose 0.71 percent, or 62.4 points, to 8,872.11.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co added 1.26 percent to Tw$120.5 while leading cellphone camera lens maker Largan Precision shed 2.51 percent to Tw$1,940.
-- Wellington climbed 0.64 percent, or 32.49 points, to 5,149.29.
Fletcher Building up 0.92 percent at N$9.85 and Telecom added 2.06 percent to NZ$2.72.
