Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Monday as investors assessed business activity figures from several key economies in the region.
China's Caixin services purchasing managers' index from S&P Global rose to 52.2 in December, which marked the service sector's fastest expansion since May 2024. China's central bank said over the weekend it would implement a "moderately loose" monetary policy in 2025 as it seeks to boost growth.
Separately, Hong Kong's PMI declined in December compared to the month before. December PMI figures for India will also be released Monday.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index opened higher after the PMI reading, before falling 0.2%, while mainland China's CSI 300 also lost 0.19%.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 shed 1.12%, leading losses in Asia, while the broad-based Topix fell 0.82%.
South Korea's Kospi was up 1.47%, while the small-cap Kosdaq was 1.08% higher.
Political uncertainty continues to grip the country, with the country's head of presidential security service reportedly saying over the weekend he could not comply with efforts to arrest impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol.
A bid to arrest Yoon on grounds of insurrection last Friday failed after investigators were locked in a stand-off with presidential security officials.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 pared gains to trade just above the flatline.(Cay) Newsmaker23
Source: CNBC
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