Asia stocks muted after poor German debt auction

BANGKOK (AP) — Asian stock markets edged higher Thursday as speculation that China might ease its monetary policy soothed fears that the German economy — Europe's strongest — may be succumbing to the continent's debt crisis.

Japanese and South Korean factory outputs slow in July

Manufacturing activity in two of Asia's biggest economies has slowed raising fresh concerns about global economic recovery faltering.

Factory output in Japan rose 0.6% in July, compared with the previous month, much lower than the 3.8% increase in June.