Investing.com– Asian stocks were a mixed bag on Monday as Japanese markets rebounded from sharp losses seen last week, while Chinese stocks fell amid renewed concerns over the country’s property market.
Broader Asian markets moved in a tight range as sentiment still remained fragile in the face of waning confidence over early U.S. interest rate cuts. U.S. stock futures rose marginally in Asian trade, with focus turning to upcoming data and the .
Waning expectations of early U.S. interest rate cuts had battered global stock markets last week. Blowout on Friday also showed persistent strength in the U.S. labor market.
Nikkei 225 rebounds from steep weekly losses
Japanese stocks were the best performers for the day, with the surging 1.6%, while the broader added 1.2%.
Both indexes benefited from some bargain buying after clocking their worst weekly loss since December 2022- where they slid between 2.3% and 3.5%.
Losses in Japanese markets were driven chiefly by a rebound in the , after the government repeatedly warned it will intervene in currency markets to support the currency.
The yen weakened on Monday after Japanese read as expected for February. Rising wages are a key consideration for the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates further, and are expected to increase substantially in the coming months.
More rate hikes present a ceiling for Japanese shares, with the Nikkei expected to stall around 40,000 points.
Chinese stocks return with property market concerns in fore
China’s benchmark and indexes fell 0.7% each on Monday as trade resumed after an extended weekend. Hong Kong’s index also lost about 0.4%.
Losses in Chinese markets were driven by renewed concerns over the property sector, after defaulted developer Shimao Group was slapped with a demand to liquidate by a top creditor.
Shimao’s liquidation bid adds to a growing list of Chinese developers facing such a scenario. Recently, Evergrande Group was also ordered to liquidate by a Hong Kong court, while beleaguered developer Country Garden was also hit with a winding up petition.
This in turn fueled persistent concerns over an extended downturn in China’s property market, which threatens a broader economic recovery in the country.
Other Asian markets moved in a tight range on Monday after clocking some losses last week. Anticipation of more cues on U.S. interest rates kept sentiment largely in check.
Australia’s rose 0.2%, while South Korea’s added 0.1%.
for India’s index pointed to a mildly positive open, after the index scaled record peaks last week.
