Stocks in Asia directionless, Nikkei 225 sheds 236 points

SYDNEY, NSW, Australia - Stocks in Asia were directionless Thursday as investors were decidedly restless following major gains earlier in the week and the subsequent flop on Wall Street on Wednesday.

"The optimism that buoyed financial markets earlier this week receded as U.S. data continued to articulate the need for further, decisive central bank policy action," a research note published by ANZ Bank said Thursd