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Asia markets open down on US job numbers Asia markets mixed as China reopens and on US jobs
(about 1 hour later)
Asian markets opened mostly down on Monday following stocks in the US which headed lower after US unemployment numbers were released. Asian markets were mixed on Monday as China reopened and despite stocks in the US, which headed lower after US jobs figures were released.
Friday's much-anticipated jobs figures showed unemployment fell to 5.1% last month, the lowest since April 2008.Friday's much-anticipated jobs figures showed unemployment fell to 5.1% last month, the lowest since April 2008.
The jobs report is the last before the US Federal Reserve meets later this month to decide whether to increase interest rates.The jobs report is the last before the US Federal Reserve meets later this month to decide whether to increase interest rates.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei opened lower on Monday, down 0.65% at 17,676.90.Japan's benchmark Nikkei opened lower on Monday, down 0.65% at 17,676.90.
By mid-morning trade however it had moved into positive territory, but only just, at 0.08% and 17,816.59 points.
Economist Angus Nicholson from IG Markets said in a note that trading in Asia on Monday would be driven by two main factors.Economist Angus Nicholson from IG Markets said in a note that trading in Asia on Monday would be driven by two main factors.
"The delayed response to Friday's non-farm payrolls number out of the US and the reopening of the Chinese stocks markets after a four-day break," he said."The delayed response to Friday's non-farm payrolls number out of the US and the reopening of the Chinese stocks markets after a four-day break," he said.
"Both of these factors are likely to spur further selling in Asian markets today, with the outcome of the Chinese market reopening being the greater cause for concern." "Both of these factors are likely to spur further selling in Asian markets today, with the outcome of the [mainland] Chinese market reopening being the greater cause for concern."
In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.17% at 5,031.80 points, while South Korea's Kospi benchmark index was down 0.20% at 1,881.45 points, after closing down 1.5% on Friday. In early trade, the benchmark Shanghai composite index opened flat but was up 1.49% at 3,207.97 points moments afterwards.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was also up 0.44% at 20,931.56 in early trade.
In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.25% at 5,028.20 points, while South Korea's Kospi benchmark index was down 0.02% at 1,885.65 points, after closing down 1.5% on Friday.