Tokyo Nikkei 225 down 0.04%, S&P ASX 200 down 0.08% (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Tokyo , 03 Sep - Asian shares closed flat to lower after yesterday's mixed session, with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan down 0.5%.

Caution prevailed as investors braced for key US economic data that could influence the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. The Fed is seen cutting rates by 25 or 50 basis points at its next meeting on September 18.

The US ISM manufacturing survey is due later in the day and the closely watched US jobs report is due on Friday.

In South Korea, a report showed consumer inflation slowed in August to the weakest in more than three years on a year-on-year basis, supporting expectations of an easing of monetary policy.

The Nikkei index closed down 0.04% at 38,686 points. In Sydney the S&P ASX 200 closed down 0.08% at 8,103 points, while in Seoul the KOSPI closed down 0.61% at 2,664 points.

The Shanghai Composite index was down 0.28% at 2,803 points and the Hong Kong Hang Seng index was down 0.39% at 17,623 points. In Mumbai the Sensex index slid 0.12% to 82,458 points.

Most Asian markets posted a monthly loss in August after a sharp drop at the beginning of the month.

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(RADIOCOR) 03-09-24 08:59:35 (0161) 5 NNNN