Global shares mixed after Wall St dips on weak economic data

Global shares were trading mixed Wednesday as Germany reported its factory orders surged in February, posting their third successive increase in another promising sign for Europe’s biggest economy. Shares fell in France and Germany in early trading, but rose in Britain. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 finished lower, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 stood little changed. South Korea’s Kospi gained. New Zealand’s benchmark fell 0.3% after the central bank surprised economists by imposing an aggressive half-point rate rise to bring its policy interest rate to 5.25%. Trading was closed in Hong Kong and Shanghai for the Qingming Festival, a holiday. Investors are still split on whether the U.S. economy is headed for a recession.