World shares mixed amid hopes for business pickup, weak economic data

World equity markets seesawed on Wednesday as investor hopes for a pickup in business activity were weighed against downbeat economic data and low fuel demand highlighted by a rise in US crude stockpiles to three-year highs. 

The safe-haven Japanese yen and dollar rose on data showing US private payrolls tumbled to a record 20.2 million in April, German industrial orders fell at a record pace in March and British construction activity fell to an all-time low last month. 

The dollar index rose 0.279 per cent, with the euro down