Asian shares trade in narrow range as traders  brace for possible US Government shutdown

TOKYO, Sept 30: Asian shares were little changed in narrow trading Tuesday as investors braced for a possible US Government shutdown. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 inched down less than 0.1 per cent in morning trading to 45,023.48. China reported lackluster data on factory activity for September that reflect persistent weakness in the world’s second largest economy as trade tensions with the US weigh on exports. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was virtually unchanged, rising less than 0.1 per cent to 26,624.16. The Shanghai Composite index added 0.4 per cent to 3,878.88. Elsewhere in Asia, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.1 per cent to 8,872.40. South Korea’s Kospi gained nearly 0.2 per cent to 3,436.25. The US federal government is nearing a budget deadline that could result in its sh