Asia-Pacific stocks appeared set for a lower start on Thursday, with investors awaiting the release of China's trade data for May expected later today.
The Shanghai Composite in mainland China hovered above the flatline while the Shenzhen Component dipped 0.664%. $Hang Seng Index(800000.HK)$ shed 0.16%. $TENCENT(00700.HK)$ opened over 3% higher and now is nearly flat, $Bilibili(BILI.US)$ traded lower by 2.37%.
Futures pointed to a lower open for Japanese stocks. The Nikkei futures contract in Chicago was at 28,195 while its counterpart in Osaka was at 28,140 — against the Nikkei 225's last close at 28,234.29.
Australian stocks also looked poised for a lower open, with the SPI futures contract at 7,079, against the S&P/ASX 200's last close at 7,121.10.
China is set to announce its trade data for May later on Thursday.
