Asian shares inch up as weak factory data boost Fed hopes

TOKYO (Reuters) – Asian shares inched up on Tuesday as manufacturing data around the world highlighted the drag on growth from the protracted euro zone debt crisis, raising expectations for the Federal Reserve to take further steps to underpin the fragile economy. U.S. manufacturing contracted for the first time in nearly three years, while in the euro zone the jobless rate rose to a record high in May and a measure of factory activity held steady at its lowest level since June 2009. Asia was hit by crumbling orders from abroad. "The pressure to do something will grow on the Fed. …

Asian shares inch up as weak factory data boost Fed hopes TOKYO (Reuters) – Asian shares inched up on Tuesday as manufacturing data around the world highlighted the drag on growth from the protracted euro zone debt crisis, raising expectations for the Federal Reserve to take further steps to underpin the fragile economy. U.S. manufacturing [...]