Asia-Pacific markets trade mostly lower on Monday as investors assessed business activity figures from several key economies in the region. Japan ( NKY:IND ) fell -1.53% dropped 0.7% to around 39,600, while the broader Topix Index fell 0.3% to 2,775 on Monday, as Japanese markets reopened following a week-long holiday and impacted by data showing that Japan’s composite and services PMIs for December were revised lower. The Japanese yen weakened past 157.5 per dollar on Monday, nearing its lowest levels since July. Japan’s composite and services PMIs for December were revised lower, reinforcing a dovish outlook on BOJ policy . China ( SHCOMP ) fell -0.53% and the offshore yuan weakened around 7.35 per dollar, hitting its lowest level in 16-months, despite the central bank's efforts to strengthen the official midpoint and assurances of currency stability. Official data showed that China’s services activity rose to 52.2 in December, up from 51.5 in November , surpassing forecasts of 51.7. This marked the fastest expansion since May, driven by strong domestic demand. Hong Kong ( HSI ) fell -0.51% to 19,780 in early deals on Monday, attempting to maintain gains from the prior session amid advances in most sectors, notably tech, property, and financials. India ( SENSEX ) fell -0.93% to 78,760 in morning deals on Monday, down for the second straight session, mainly weighed down by losses in banking and consumer stocks, amid further foreign outflows. However, the final data showed India's services sector grew the most in four months in December, helping to cap the falls. Australia ( AS51 ) rose +0.08% rose 0.08% to close at 8,257 on Monday, marking its third consecutive session of gains. The Australian dollar rose above $0.622 on Monday, extending its recent gains as strong services activity data. Domestically, investors absorbed data showing that Australia’s composite and services PMIs for December were revised higher . The benchmark KOSPI soared 1.1% to 2,469 points on Monday, extending gains from the previous session and reaching its highest level in nearly three weeks, primarily driven by significant gains in technology and electronics stocks. The South Korean won stabilized around 1,469 per dollar as traders look ahead to the Bank of Korea’s upcoming monetary policy decision next week. In the U.S., on Friday, all three major indexes ended higher , fueled by a surge in big tech stocks. U.S. stock futures remained largely unchanged on Monday as investors await key economic data: Dow -0.06%; S&P 500 +0.04% ; Nasdaq +0.09% . Week ahead: The December jobs report, scheduled for release on Friday, will be closely watched as one of the final economic indicators before the next Federal Reserve meeting. In the meantime, traders are also anticipating the JOLTS report on Tuesday and the ADP Employment Survey on Wednesday. On the corporate front, earnings reports are expected this week from Constellation Brands, Walgreens Boots Alliance, and Delta Air Lines. Currencies: ( JPY:USD ), ( CNY:USD ), ( AUD:USD ), ( INR:USD ), ( HKD:USD ), ( NZD:USD ). More on Asia: China’s services sector growth accelerates to seven-month high in Dec amid new business inflows Australia’s composite and services PMIs for December revised higher Japan's composite and services PMIs for December revised lower People’s Bank of China signals interest rate reduction this year amid policy shift China's manufacturing output slows in December to 50.5, misses expectations
