Tokyo — Asian shares were a tad firmer on Thursday, after earlier dips, taking their cues from strong US data, although holiday-thinned trade and uncertainty about the impact of recent hurricanes on the US economy are likely to keep investors cautious. Japan’s Nikkei was almost flat while Australian shares ticked up 0.2%. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was almost flat with Hong Kong and South Korea, as well as mainland China, closed for public holidays. Wall Street’s three major stock indices hit fresh highs on Wednesday as did MSCI’s all-country world stock index. The Institute for Supply Management’s index of nonmanufacturing activity rose to 59.8 in September, its highest reading since August 2005, pointing to the resilience of the vast US services sector despite disruption from two powerful hurricanes. The data came after a surge to 13-year high in the survey of manufacturers as well as car sales at 12-year high, both released earlier this week. "Shar...
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