Asian stocks mixed ahead of monthly U.S. jobs report

Asian stock markets are mixed as investors look ahead to this week's U.S. jobs data for reassurance the biggest global economy is improving following the previous month’s big miss on hiring

BEIJING -- Asian stock markets were mixed Tuesday as investors looked ahead to U.S. jobs data for reassurance the biggest global economy is improving following the previous month’s big hiring miss. Benchmarks in Shanghai and Tokyo declined while Hong Kong and Seoul advanced. U.S. markets, which ended May with a gain amid inflation fears, were due to reopen Tuesday following a holiday. Traders looked ahead to Friday’s report on U.S. hiring in March for reassurance April's lurch down was a fluke. Employers added 266,000 jobs that month, half the recent average and well below expectations of 1 million.