Asia-Pacific markets, Korea rate decision, Australia and Japan PMI

News Snapshot:

Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Thursday, with a slew of economic data from the region on tap, while investors also assess the U.S. Federal Reserve possibly delaying interest rate cuts. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 traded marginally lower, down 0.17%, as the nation's Judo Bank composite purchasing managers' index for February showed a return to growth, at 51.8. The 50 mark separates growth from contraction. The monthly index is a leading indicator for business activity in Australia's manufacturing and service sector. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 16,447, pointing to a weaker start compared with the HSI's close...