Asian markets traded mostly lower in early deals on Monday, saddled by the risk aversion in the market amidst dulled hopes over aggressive interest rate cuts and cautiousness ahead to key US data this week, including PCE inflation, Q3 GDP advance estimates and payroll data. Hang Seng declined in the session snapping previous sessional gains, as investor sentiments dampened after reports that China's industrial profits dipped by 3.5% in the first nine months of 2024, as against prior period’s rise of 0.5%. Bucking the trend Japan rebounded with the softer local currency yen and on hopes of dovish stance by BoJ in its monetary policy decision on Thursday.
Hang Seng down by 43.91 points 0.21% to 20,546.24, Taiwan Weighted lower by 116.60 points or 0.50% to 23,235.82, Straits Times slipped by 1.44 points 0.04% to 3,591.97, Jakarta Composite dipped by 81.55 points or 1.10% to 7,613.11, and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI curtailed by 0.15 points or 0.01% to 1,618.15
On the flip side, Nikkei 225 up by 731.97 points 1.93% to 38,645.89, KOSPI Index rose by 24.60 points or 0.95% to 2,607.87, and Shanghai Composite peaked by 5.60 points or 0.17% to 3,305.30.