Asia markets traded mixed on Monday as investors weighed concerns over rising inflation and the impact of the Omicron variant on global economic recovery.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 0.5% as investors remain cautious amid rising Covid-19 cases and concerns over supply chain disruptions. The Bank of Japan’s decision to maintain its ultra-loose monetary policy also weighed on sentiment.
In China, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.4% as investors welcomed news that the country’s economy grew by 4% in the fourth quarter, slightly beating expectations. However, concerns over regulatory crackdowns on tech companies continue to linger.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index was down 0.3% as investors digested the latest Covid-19 data and awaited further developments in the Evergrande debt crisis.
In South Korea, the Kospi index rose 0.7% as investors shrugged off concerns over rising inflation and focused on positive economic data, including a jump in exports.
Overall, market sentiment in Asia remains mixed as investors weigh the impact of rising inflation and the Omicron variant on global economic recovery. With uncertainty still lingering, investors are likely to remain cautious in the coming weeks.
As always, it is important for investors to stay informed and closely monitor market developments to make well-informed investment decisions. While volatility may persist in the short term, long-term investors should remain focused on their investment goals and stay diversified to weather any market turbulence.