Asia markets finished mixed on Wednesday and sterling slipped as markets await the formal move by the U.K. to start an historic split with the European Union.
The Nikkei 225 in Japan gained 14.61 points, or 0.1%, to 19,217.48
The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong picked up 46.18 points, or 0.2%, to 24,392.05
In Japan, official data showed that retail sales retail sales grew just 0.1% in February year-on-year, much less compared to January's growth of 1%. The weak figures raise doubt about the strength of private consumption and highlights the difficulties for Japan to generate price inflation.
Toshiba's U.S. subsidiary Westinghouse is set to file for U.S. bankruptcy, in a bid to limit losses for the Japanese conglomerate. Shares of Toshiba were up 1%
Electronics giant Samsung Electronics shares were up 0.7%. It is expected to launch Galaxy S8 smartphone in New York later in the day, and in South Korea tomorrow.
Australian markets improved Wednesday, as the Australian army and emergency workers headed to areas in Queensland state that were hit by Cyclone Debbie. Tourist resorts along Australia's Great Barrier Reef and mainland coastal areas were belted with wind gusts stronger than 260 km per hour and there were reports of significant structural damage to homes and public infrastructure
The dollar/yen was trading at 111.07 and the Australian dollar fetched $0.7644 U.S.
U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May signed the official letter to the European Council President Donald Tusk on Tuesday to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. The EU will have two days to respond to the letter, after it has been delivered to Tusk on Wednesday at 12:30 British Summer Time.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 dropped 4.62 points, or 0.1%, to 3,465.19
The Kospi Index in Korea added 3.67 points, or 0.2%, to 2,166.98
In Taiwan, the Taiex lost 20.2 points, or 0.2%, to 9,856.25
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index jumped 26.75 points, or 0.9%, to 3,184.57
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 moved up 68.34 points, or 1%, to 7,133.57
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 hiked 52.28 points, or 0.9%, to 5,873.52
