China's retail sales growth slowed, and the decline in property market investment continued to deepen in November as two-month-old stimulus measures fail to impress consumers and investors.
Business mood among large companies improved slightly for the fiscal fourth quarter. Fiscal year 2025 capital expenditure is estimated to expand amid lingering worries of a slowdown in China and looming trade tariffs in the U.S.
Investors sold stocks in Friday's trading after vague commitment to support economic growth failed to meet investor expectations. Property developers led the decliners. For the week, the Hang Seng gained 1.7%, and the CSI 300 index fell 0.8%.
Japan's stock market indexes traded around a five-month high as investors debated rate decisions in the U.S., the European Union, and Japan. The yen edged lower amid BoJ policy uncertainty.
Chinese leaders are struggling to devise concrete fiscal stimulus measures that could have an immediate impact in reviving faltering consumer confidence and a flailing property market.
China and Hong Kong indexes gyrated as investors awaited more clarity on fiscal stimulus measures at the end of of the economic work conference on Thursday.
China's consumer price and producer price inflation indicators confirmed a deflationary trend in November, supporting the case for an additional stimulus announcement at the end of the key policy meeting later in the week.
Japan's nominal wages rose at the fastest pace in 32 years, but real wages were flat in October, highlighting challenges for economic growth in the current year. Real household spending declined amid rising costs of living.
The Hang Seng index extended weekly gains to over 2%, the best performance in the last two months, as investors held out for additional stimulus next week.
After a week of political maneuvering, the three-party coalition finalized the selection of chief minister in Maharashtra. Financial markets struggled to advance ahead of the RBI's rate decisions on Friday.
China and Hong Kong investors overlooked rising trade tensions with the U.S. and Europe and shifted their focus to an upcoming meeting of policymakers later in the month.
Benchmark indexes in India extended the market rally to the fourth day amid steady domestic fund flows. Crude oil prices hovered near an 18-month low amid weak demand growth from key customers in Asia.
