Mainland stocks closed largely flat on Thursday after two consecutive sessions of losses as investors cautiously awaited US jobs data for further clues on the Federal Reserve's policy outlook and upcoming domestic indicators for signs of the broader economy's health.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index ended the day 97 points, or 0.4 percent, down at 25,213 on turnover of HK$199.38 billion.

The tech index dropped 48 points, or 1.1 percent, to 4,468 while the China enterprises index fell 64 points, or 0.8 percent, to 8,385.

Shares of online fast-fashion retailer Shein Global Holdings plunged 8.7 percent on the third day of Hong Kong trading.

On the mainland, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index ended up 0.02 percent at 3,942.

The Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.1 percent higher at 13,625 while the ChiNext Index inched up 0.01 percent to 3,312.

The combined turnover of stocks covered by the main indices in Shanghai and Shenzhen was 1.76 trillion yuan, slightly down from 1.79 trillion yuan on Wednesday.

Defence, agriculture, education and dairy stocks were among the biggest winners while insurance and precious metals posted losses.

Property shares were among the biggest winners, with a sub-index bouncing 4.1 percent following three days of sharp losses.

All eyes are now on Friday's US nonfarm payrolls report, where analysts are forecasting an increase of 56,000 in jobs, following July's shock drop of 23,000, with unemployment holding at 4.1 percent.

Markets are now pricing in a 61 percent chance of a US Federal Reserve rate hike in September.

Meanwhile, domestic August economic data is also in focus.

"Economic activity should stay sluggish for August, as widely expected, yet the key thing to watch is whether a catch-up recovery starts in September on recent policy push," Citi analysts said in a note.

China's services activity expanded at a faster pace in August, a private-sector survey showed on Thursday, with stronger domestic demand helping firms add staff for a fourth consecutive month.

Meanwhile, the People's Bank of China's told the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting that the country never deliberately pursues a trade surplus and insists on expanding domestic demand and maintaining a high level of opening up to the world, according to a statement from the bank on Wednesday.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei ended 111 points, or 0.17 percent, lower at 64,214 as it fell for a fourth consecutive session to its lowest close in a month, as uncertainty over interest rates and currencies kept ⁠investors away from risk assets.

The broader Topix rose 20 points, or 0.5 percent, to 4,102.

In Seoul, the Kospi closed up 16 points, or 0.26 percent, at 6,579 after rising up to 1.8 percent earlier in the session. (Reuters/Xinhua)


Edited by Tony Sabine