Japan's producer price index held stable in November, and price increases spread to a wider group of sectors. The yen continued to decline, despite the BoJ Governor Ueda signaling a possible rate hike next week.
China's consumer prices rose at a faster pace, and producer prices continued to decline in November, confirming the ongoing demand weakness driven by structural and economic issues.
Japan's indexes lacked direction amid rising political tensions between Japan and China. The yield on 10-year Japanese bonds inched higher to a new 18-year high.
Japan's nominal wages rose for the 46th consecutive month in October, but real wages declined for the second month in a row. Japan's GDP growth in the third quarter was revised to a 0.6% contraction.
China's goods exports rebounded in November, and shipments to the ASEAN and the European Union continued to increase at an elevated pace. The goods trade surplus soared to one trillion dollars for the first time in eleven months, in November.
Japan's household spending, a key indicator of private consumption, dropped 3% from a year ago in October. For the week, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.7%.
Investors in China and Hong Kong took a wait-and-see approach ahead of rate decisions from major central banks and the annual economic conference chaired by top political leaders.
Japan's market extended this week's gains, driven by a surge in tech and defense stocks. The yield on 10-year government bonds advanced to a new 17-year high.
China's and Hong Kong's benchmark indexes extended losses for the second consecutive month in November amid receding risk appetite for stocks and wild market swings.
China stocks attempted to extend the recent market rally powered by high-flying tech stocks. Industrial profit growth slowed in the ten-month period to October.
