China’s 200 million-strong army of retail investors was supposed to help the market turn a corner. Instead, it has become a source of weakness.

Assurances from government officials on plans to strengthen the private sector offset a lack of specifics about economic stimulus.

By Ankur Banerjee SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Asian equities fell on Wednesday after a disappointing outlook from Europe's biggest tech firm ASML dragged down chip stocks, while expectations that the Federal Reserve will take a modest rate cut path propped up the dollar.

Stocks in Shanghai and Hong Kong slipped on a mixed day for Asian markets Thursday as Chinese traders gave shrug to Beijing's latest plan to boost the country's troubled property sector, which came up short of expectations.

Asian equities fell on Wednesday after disappointing earnings from Europe's biggest tech firm ASMLASML.AS dragged chip stocks around the world, while expectations that the Federal Reserve will take a modest rate cut path propped up the dollar.