Asia markets mixed as investors assess China economic data and Japan GDP after Wall Street falls.
Asia markets were mixed Friday as Wall Street fell after U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated the central bank was in no rush to cut rates, with investors also assessing China and Japan economic data.
Speaking in Dallas, Powell pointed out that strong U.S. economic growth will allow policymakers to take their time in deciding how far and how fast they should lower interest rates.
In Asia, investors assessed key economic data from China on Friday, which included October numbers for retail sales, industrial production and urban unemployment.
China’s retail sales rose more than expected in October, while industrial production and investment data missed forecasts.
The unemployment rate in cities fell to 5% in October, down from 5.1% in September.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 0.04% as of its last hour of trade, while mainland China’s CSI 300 fell 1.75% to close at 3,968.83.(Cay)
Source: CNBC
