Asia-Pacific markets were trading mixed on Monday as investors assessed revised economic growth data from Japan and anticipated inflation data from China for November.
By 11:50 am AEDT (12:50 pm GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.4%, Japan’s Nikkei 225 ticked up 0.1% and the Kospi 200 shed 1.6%.
Japan’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded at a faster pace than initially reported in the July-September quarter, up 1.2% on an annualised basis.
South Korea's markets were also under pressure amid political uncertainty following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s survival of an impeachment vote over the weekend. The leader of his party hinted at an eventual resignation, adding to market jitters.
On Friday, U.S. stock indexes posted mixed results. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.8%, both setting fresh records and logging their third consecutive weekly gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, however, fell 0.3%.
The strong performance followed a better-than-expected U.S. jobs report, with nonfarm payrolls increasing by 227,000 in November, surpassing estimates of 200,000. Unemployment edged up to 4.2%, aligning with forecasts.
Chinese stocks rallied, with the Shanghai Composite Index gaining 1.1%, and the CSI 300 advancing 1.3%.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 1.6% to 19,865.9.
European markets also reflected varied results. Germany’s DAX edged up 0.1%, and France's CAC 40 rose 1.3%. However, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 dropped 0.5%.
