Asia stocks muted; China shares positive after rate cut

Most Asian stocks kept to a tight range on Monday as focus remained on the upcoming earnings season, while Chinese markets rose in choppy trade after the People’s Bank cut rates slightly more than expected. 

Regional markets took some positive cues from Wall Street, as U.S. stock indexes closed near record highs on Friday. Wall Street futures were mildly positive in Asian trade. 

A slew of major U.S. and Asian earnings are due in the coming weeks, offering up more cues on corporate profits amid high global interest rates and softer economic conditions. Chinese stocks rise after PBOC cuts rates 

China’s Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indexes rose around 0.7% in volatile trade after the People’s Bank of China cut its benchmark loan prime rates slightly more than expected. 

The LPR cut comes amid a flurry of stimulus measures from Beijing, and was largely expected by markets. 

Beijing over the past month unveiled its most aggressive round of stimulus measures yet, flagging both monetary and fiscal steps to improve economic growth.

But while enthusiasm over the new measures initially drove Chinese stocks to two-year highs, they retreated in recent sessions as investors were underwhelmed by a lack of details on the timing and scale of the new measures.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 0.2%, reflecting limited optimism among foreign investors over China’s interest rate cut.

A string of recent economic readings also showed little improvement in Asia’s biggest economy. 

Still, optimism over more stimulus in China saw Australia’s ASX 200 add 0.6%. The index is heavily exposed to trade with China.  Asian markets muted with earnings, interest rates in focus 

Broader Asian markets kept to a tight range, with focus remaining on the third-quarter earnings season, while investors also sought more cues on interest rates in major economies. 

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index rose 0.3%, while the TOPIX was flat. Japan’s general elections are set to take place later in October, while the Bank of Japan is also set to meet at the end of the month. 

South Korea’s KOSPI was flat, while futures for India’s Nifty 50 index pointed to a mildly positive open, with the index set to make another attempt to cross 25,000 points. 

A slew of major Indian corporate earnings are also due this week, including majors such as UltraTech Cement Ltd (NS:ULTC ), Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (NS:HLL ) and ITC Ltd (NS:ITC ). 

Source: Investing.com