Hong Kong stocks fell for a second day in a row on Monday, as China’s imports and exports both posted unexpected drops last month, suggesting more downside risks facing the economy.
Meanwhile, Japan stocks closed higher, although gains were limited due to the weak Chinese trade data.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index gained 63.43 points, or 0.4%, to 17,711.93.
The yen was flat against the greenback at ¥118.83. Earlier in the day, the yen traded above the ¥119 mark, continuing its weakness versus the dollar after a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report on Friday.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index tumbled 158.39 points, or 0.6%, to 24,521.
Several top-weighted stocks traded lower, as telecoms giant China Mobile Ltd. declined 1.9%, and online major Tencent Holdings Ltd fell 1.2%.
CHINA
The Shanghai CS300 index regained 33.50 points, or 1%, to 3,345.92
Mainland China’s top snack-food maker Want Want China Holdings Ltd. tumbled 3.4%, after issuing a profit warning for 2014.
On Sunday, official data showed China’s exports fell unexpectedly by 3.3% in January, deteriorating from December’s 9.7% gain and contrasting with an estimated 4% rise in a survey by The Wall Street Journal. Imports also slid about 20% from a year ago.
In other markets;
The Kospi in Korea slid 8.52 points, or 0.4%, to 1,947
In Taiwan, the Taiex index dropped 34.68 points, or 0.4%, to 9,421.50
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index slipped 13.34 points, or 0.4%, to 3,418.02
New Zealand’s NZX 50 index moved lower 28.02 points, or 0.5%, to 5.769.57
The S&P/ASX index dipped 5.25 points, or 0.1%, to 5,814.93
