Nikkei Tokyo fell 0.39 percent, Hong Kong slipped 0.29 percent, Shanghai eased 0.24 percent, Seoul shed 0.22 percent

Regional Asian markets slipped on profit-taking Thursday following the previous day's hefty gains but losses were limited after a closely watched indicator showed a slight pick-up in Chinese manufacturing activity. Safe haven currency The US dollar edged up following a surprising rise in US inflation while the euro faced fresh selling pressure owing to speculation that the European Central Bank will widen its bond-buying programme to boost the eurozone economy.


Japan Nikkei Tokyo fell 0.39 percent, Hong Kong slipped 0.29 percent, Shanghai eased 0.24 percent, Seoul shed 0.22 percent and Sydney was flat. Asian Regional markets have enjoyed a mostly positive run since Monday as concerns eased over the global economy that fuelled a sell-off last week. Market going to taking profit


Stock Shares opened in negative territory as traders cashed in recent gains. However, buying sentiment was lifted by a strong rise in HSBC's preliminary purchasing managers index of manufacturing activity.


Menahwile, The bank said its PMI hit 50.4 in October, up from 50.2 in September, indicating activity is picking up and soothing some concerns about the world's number two economy. Anything above 50 indicates growth and a figure below points to contraction. The result comes days after Beijing released data showing the economy grew at its slowest pace since the start of 2009 -- during the global financial crisis -- although it was still at a quicker rate than expected.