Australian shares edged higher while those in Japan ticked down due to the stronger local currency. Equity index futures pointed to initial gains in Hong Kong after a gauge of US-listed Chinese shares climbed as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. announced its fastest pace of revenue growth in more than a year. Australian shares edged higher while those in Japan ticked down due to the stronger local currency. Equity index futures pointed to initial gains in Hong Kong after a gauge of US-listed Chinese shares climbed as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. announced its fastest pace of revenue growth in more than a year. Economic Times