Asian shares advanced Thursday following weak US economic data bolstered projections the Federal Reserve will defer increasing interest rates this year.

The Commerce Department reported US retail sales rose only 0.1% in September as cheaper gasoline pulled service station receipts down 3.2%.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index climbed 0.4%, which dropped the previous day as mild consumer inflation to China aggravated woes about the Chinese economy.

Meanwhile, Japanese manufacturers’ confidence lowered in October, based on a Reuters poll, worsening fears of a recession and pressuring policymakers to integrate additional stimulus.

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