Investing.com - Asian stocks were mixed to higher on Monday, still wary after Friday's weak housing data released in the U.S., although bargain hunters came out sending Japanese equities higher especially on a softer yen.
During Asian trading on Monday, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 0.33%, Australia's S&P/ASX200 was up 0.08%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index was up 0.19%.
Concerns over the pace of growth facing the Chinese economy have sent many Asian stock prices falling, although prices fell low enough on Monday to bring out the buyers.
However, technology stocks in U.S. markets took a hit in recent sessions, while housing data out of the world's largest economy continues to disappoint, which tempered spirits.
In the U.S. on Friday, the Commerce Department reported that new single-family home sales disappointed in February, while the National Association of Realtors reported a similar trend when it came to total existing-home sales last week as well.
Still, investors in Japan especially took advantage of a weaker yen to buy stocks, which kept prices largely on the upswing.
In Hong Kong, top decliners included Hengan International, down 3.53%, Li & Fung, down 1.86%, and CHALCO, down 1.61%.
In Australia, the top gainers included White Energy, up 12.16%, OceanaGold Corp., up 4.20%, and Leighton Holdings, up 2.94%.
European stock futures indicated a higher opening.
France's CAC 40 futures pointed to a gain of 0.24%, while Germany's DAX 30 futures signaled a gain of 0.25%. Meanwhile, in the U.K., the FTSE 100 futures indicated a gain of 0.04%.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.86% while the S&P 500 futures were down 0.18%.
Later Monday, the German Ifo Business Climate Index will be released, while pending home sales data will come out in the U.S.
In Japan, the Corporate Services Price Index will come out.
Also on Monday, ECB President Mario Draghi will speak as will his U.S. counterpart, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.
During Asian trading on Monday, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 0.33%, Australia's S&P/ASX200 was up 0.08%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index was up 0.19%.
Concerns over the pace of growth facing the Chinese economy have sent many Asian stock prices falling, although prices fell low enough on Monday to bring out the buyers.
However, technology stocks in U.S. markets took a hit in recent sessions, while housing data out of the world's largest economy continues to disappoint, which tempered spirits.
In the U.S. on Friday, the Commerce Department reported that new single-family home sales disappointed in February, while the National Association of Realtors reported a similar trend when it came to total existing-home sales last week as well.
Still, investors in Japan especially took advantage of a weaker yen to buy stocks, which kept prices largely on the upswing.
In Hong Kong, top decliners included Hengan International, down 3.53%, Li & Fung, down 1.86%, and CHALCO, down 1.61%.
In Australia, the top gainers included White Energy, up 12.16%, OceanaGold Corp., up 4.20%, and Leighton Holdings, up 2.94%.
European stock futures indicated a higher opening.
France's CAC 40 futures pointed to a gain of 0.24%, while Germany's DAX 30 futures signaled a gain of 0.25%. Meanwhile, in the U.K., the FTSE 100 futures indicated a gain of 0.04%.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.86% while the S&P 500 futures were down 0.18%.
Later Monday, the German Ifo Business Climate Index will be released, while pending home sales data will come out in the U.S.
In Japan, the Corporate Services Price Index will come out.
Also on Monday, ECB President Mario Draghi will speak as will his U.S. counterpart, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.