Asian stock indices traded mixed. Investors were focused on corporate earnings.

Chinese stocks traded lower as investors began to take profit, and as they weighed yesterday's disappointing economic data from China. Concern is growing that stimulus measures by the Chinese government will be insufficient.

Investors speculated yesterday that the government in China will add stimulus measures to support the economy.

Core machinery orders in Japan rose 8.8% in June, missing expectations for a 15.5% gain, after a 19.5% decline in May.

On a yearly basis, core machinery orders in Japan decreased 3.0% in June, after a 14.3% fall in May.

Indexes on the close:

Nikkei 225 15,314.57 +100.94 +0.66%

Hang Seng 24,801.36 -88.98 -0.36%

Shanghai Composite 2,206.47 -16.41 -0.74%