Asia markets mixed as investors turn cautious ahead to more economic data across region

Asia-Pacific equity markets mostly fell on Thursday as investors sought fresh market catalysts, with Japanese inflation data and manufacturing and services PMI figures from across the region slated for Friday.

Japan (NKY:IND) +0.01%. The index reversed gains from the previous session as caution dominated sentiment ahead of key economic data in Japan.

China (SHCOMP) -0.39%. The mainland stocks hitting two-month lows as China’s central bank kept key lending rates unchanged. PBoC holds its one-year and five-year loan prime rates at 3.45% and 3.95%.

The latest batch of economic reports in China pointed to an uneven recovery, leading markets to seek more policy support from authorities.

Hong Kong (HSI) -0.66%.

India (SENSEX) +0.11%.

Australia (AS51) -0.10%.

The U.S. stock market were closed on Wednesday for Juneteenth.

U.S. stock futures were mixed on Thursday as trading resumed after a holiday, with investors assessing whether key technology names could continue to push the market higher: Dow +0.16%; S&P 500 +0.30%; Nasdaq +0.49%.

Investors look forward to the Bank of England’s policy decision later today, where it is expected to hold rates steady before delivering its first-rate cut in August

US housing starts, building permits and initial jobless claims are set to be released on Thursday, while Japanese inflation data and manufacturing and services PMI figures from across the region slated for Friday.

Currencies: (JPY:USD), (CNY:USD), (AUD:USD), (INR:USD), (HKD:USD), (NZD:USD).

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