SINGAPORE — Stocks in Asia-Pacific saw muted moves in Monday trade as investors await the release of China’s official manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 advanced 0.4% in early trade while the Topix index dipped 0.13%. South Korea’s Kospi was fractionally higher.
Meanwhile, shares in Australia were little changed, as the S&P/ASX 200 sat on the flatline.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was flat.
Markets will be monitoring shares of HSBC in Hong Kong following a Financial Times report that the bank is considering an exit from U.S. retail banking.
On the economic data front, Japan’s retail sales rose 6.4% year-on-year in October, according to a preliminary report by the country’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The data was in line with a median market forecast, according to Reuters.
Looking ahead, China is set to announce its official manufacturing PMI for November at around 9:00 a.m. HK/SIN.
Markets in India are closed on Monday for a holiday.
Currencies
The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 91.734 after following a decline in recent days from levels above 92.
The Japanese yen traded at 104.04 per dollar after strengthening from levels above 104.4 against the greenback last week. The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7399, having risen from levels below $0.732 in the previous week.
What’s on tap:
- China: Official manufacturing PMI for November at 9:00 a.m. HK/SIN
Source: CNBC