Regional benchmarks mostly were flat to lower, but chip-related shares like Tokyo Electron gained after a bullish outlook from flash memory maker SanDisk.

Korean chipmakers like Samsung Electronics and Hynix Semiconductor rose, while in Taiwan PC-makers gained on Dell’s record quarterly net profit.

On the downside, Japanese automakers dipped on the stronger yen, despite news that General Motors would recall 1.3 million vehicles to fix a power steering problem

GM said the recall, coming in the wake of Toyota’s massive 8 million vehicle action, covers cars linked to 14 crashes and one injury.

Australia’s central bank hiked its cash rate by 25 basis points, flagging further hikes ahead after a strong economic recovery.

Duration : 0:1:4

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