Asian stocks muted as markets weigh mixed Chinese trade data

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Caution also kicked in before key U.S. inflation data due on Wednesday, which is likely to factor into the Federal Reserve’s stance on future interest rate hikes.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index was the best performer for the day, up 0.8% and coming close to a one-year high as Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda downplayed expectations that monetary policy will tighten in the near-term. 

Dovish signals from the BOJ have fuelled a recent rally in Japanese markets, with the Nikkei largely outpacing its global peers on the prospect of accommodative monetary conditions. 

China’s Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indexes rose about 0.4% each, fueled by gains in industrial and shipping stocks as markets digested mixed trade data from the country. While stronger-than-expected exports saw China log a robust trade surplus in April, a bigger-than-expected drop in imports showed that local demand still remained weak, which could stymie a bigger economic recovery this year.

Chinese inflation data due later in the week is expected to provide more cues on Asia’s largest economy.

The prospect of weak Chinese demand bodes poorly for Asian markets that depend on the country as an export destination. South Korea’s KOSPI fell 0.3% on Tuesday, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index lost 0.4%. 

Australia’s ASX 200 index fell 0.2% as the weak Chinese import data spurred losses in heavyweight mining stocks. Shares of Commonwealth Bank Of Australia (ASX:CBA), the country’s largest bank, were flat as traders weighed a strong quarterly profit against a warning on slowing credit conditions in the country.

CBA’s warning spurred some profit taking in other major Australian bank stocks.

Broader Asian markets were muted as investors hunkered down before key U.S. inflation data due on Wednesday. The reading, which is expected to show that inflation eased slightly in April, is likely to factor into the Fed’s outlook on monetary policy.

Fears of a U.S. banking crisis were somewhat soothed after a Fed survey showed that the collapse of several U.S. banks this year had a limited impact on loan conditions.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also said that U.S. bank deposits were stabilizing from a run earlier this year, although staggered negotiations over raising the U.S. debt limit still presented a threat to markets.