SINGAPORE – Asia-Pacific shares traded lower on Monday as investors in the region await China’s economic data, including the country’s GDP forecast for the fourth quarter.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 1.36% in early trading while the Topix index slipped 0.86%. South Korea’s Kospi also fell 1.3%.
Over in Australia, the S&P / ASX 200 declined 0.75%.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares traded 0.43% lower.
Investors ’focus on Monday is likely to be on Chinese economic data which is expected to be out at around 10:00 am HK / SIN. That includes the country’s fourth-quarter GDP print as well as industry output and sales figures for December.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that the Trump administration has informed several suppliers to Chinese telecom giant Huawei – including chipmaker Intel – that they are revoking special licenses for the sale to it. the Chinese company. That comes just days ahead of the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday.
Markets in the US are closed Monday for the holidays.
Money and oil
The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 90.848 after seeing recent levels below 90.3.
The Japanese yen was trading at 103.88 per dollar, stronger than levels above 104.1 against the green seen last week. The Australian dollar fluctuated hands at $ 0.7683 after a late-week slide from levels above $ 0.775.
Oil prices were lower in the morning of Asian trading hours, with Brent international futures benchmark down 0.49% to $ 54.83 per barrel. U.S. crude futures are peaking at 0.53% to $ 52.08 per barrel.
What’s on tap:
- China: Fourth quarter GDP, fixed asset investment, industrial production and retail sales for December at 10:00 am HK / SIN