Asian markets see renewed volatility in early trade

Hong Kong - Asian markets witnessed fresh volatility Tuesday, a day after a global rout that saw trading suspended in Chinese markets, and US and European equities tank.

In echoes of the summer's turbulence that saw trillions wiped off valuations, most bourses in the region tumbled in the first few minutes before bouncing into positive territory.

The selling on Monday was fuelled by gauges of Chinese factory activity contracting again in December, the latest evidence showing the world's number-two economy continues to struggle.

The data - combined with the looming expiration of measures brought in to curb last year's share slump - sent Shanghai stocks crashing almost seven per cent.

On Tuesday Shanghai fell a further three per cent at the open but bounced soon after to sit 0.3 per cent higher by 0200 GMT. Hong Kong was 0.4 per cent higher, having lost 0.2 per cent in the first few minutes, and Tokyo added 0.3 per cent - reversing an initial 0.3 per cent fall.

Monday's disappointing manufacturing figures were followed later in the day by data suggesting US factory activity had also contracted last month.

"Economic indicators in both China and the US are weak. As they're the world's two biggest economies and the impact is huge, each new data point is keeping stock markets in suspense," Toshihiko Matsuno, chief strategist at SMBC Friend Securities, told Bloomberg News.

"But monetary policy is still accommodating and once markets calm down we'll see money flow into risk assets again."

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.3 per cent at 18,501.13

Shanghai - composite: UP 0.5 per cent at 3,311.68

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 0.4 per cent at 21,407.48

Euro/dollar: DOWN to $1.0825 from $1.0833

Monday Dollar/yen: DOWN to 119.54 yen from 119.42 yen

New York - Dow: DOWN 1.6 per cent at 17,148.94 (close)

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 2.4 per cent at 6,093.43 (close)

Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 2.5 per cent at 4,522.45 (close)

Frankfurt - DAX 30: DOWN 4.3 per cent at 10,283.44 (close)