Asian stocks tick higher after US stays in a lull

Asian markets inched higher early Thursday amid mixed economic news and after U.S. stocks closed with small gains following a report that companies cut their inventories.

Investors typically like to hear that inventories are depleted since that means companies will need to buy to restock. But a dip in inventories may also be a sign businesses are wary about restocking their shelves.

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average added 94.24 points, or 0.9 percent, to 10,658.16 in early trading. The government reported Thursday that Japan's economy, the world's second biggest, expanded at a slower pace in the final three months of last year than initially estimated.

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