Asia markets mixed as investors assess economic data in Australia and other region

Japan (NKY:IND) +0.09%.

China (SHCOMP) -0.33%.Traders were uneasy ahead of March Services PMI data from a private survey on Wednesday, after February’s figures pointed to the softest pace of growth in three months due to subdued domestic orders.

Hong Kong (HSI) +2.07%.

India (SENSEX) -0.24%.The HSBC India Manufacturing PMI was revised lower to 59.1 in March 2024 from preliminary estimates of 59.2, below forecasts of 59.4, and after a final 56.9 in the previous month.

Australia (AS51) -0.11%. Minutes from the central bank’s meeting implied that it was impossible for policymakers to either rule in or out future changes in the cash rate as uncertainties in the domestic economy lingered.

The Judo Bank Flash Australia Manufacturing PMI for March fell to 47.3 from 47.8 in the previous month, final readings showed.

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s Index of Commodity Prices fell 15.3 percent year-on-year in March 2024, unchanged from an upwardly revised figure in the previous month.

Job advertisements in Australia declined by 1.0% month-over-month in March 2024, after an upwardly revised 2.1% fall in the previous month.

The Melbourne Institute’s Monthly Inflation Gauge edged up 0.1% in March 2024 after inching down 0.1% in the previous month.

In the U.S. on Monday, all three major indexes closed mixed on the first trading day of the second quarter amid a surge in US Treasury yield following a strong US factory data grew worries of a delayed rate cut.

U.S. stock futures tumbled on Tuesday following losses on Wall Street’s S&P 500 and Dow Jones at the start of Q2 amid a surge in US Treasury yields: Dow -0.32%; S&P 500 -0.10%; Nasdaq -0.03%.

Traders anticipated key US economic indicators due later this week, including the jobs report, JOLTS, and the ISM Services PMI. Meanwhile, Fed chair Powell is set to speak Wednesday following his remarks last Friday that indicated it wouldn’t be appropriate to lower rates until officials are sure inflation is in check.

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