It was downhill for leading stock market indices in Asia in the initial trading hours on Monday. This is seen as a reflection of disappointment over declining consumption figures in China and a lack of stimuli that can make a difference for the Chinese economy.
Caution ahead of interest rate decisions from, among others, the American and Japanese central banks is affecting the mood.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index was in the minus, just below zero, and the broader Topix index noted a minus 0.3 percent.
In China, the composite index in Shanghai was just above zero, plus 0.1 percent, and the one in Shenzhen was at minus 0.5 percent. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index stood at minus 0.6 percent.
In South Korea, the Kospi index was down 0.2 percent.
