From Investing.com:

Most Asian stocks fell on Monday after a surprise jump in U.S. nonfarm payrolls saw markets rethink expectations for early interest rate cuts, with focus now turning to a string of key inflation readings this week.

U.S. stock futures were largely flat in Asian trade on Monday. Anticipation of the fourth-quarter earnings season also kept traders on edge.

Regional trading volumes were somewhat dulled by a market holiday in Japan, with futures for the moving little. Focus was now on readings for December, due on Tuesday.

China’s and SSEC indexes fell 0.7% and 0.8%, respectively, extending their new year’s losses as sentiment towards the country remained weak. GDP and CPI readings due later this week are expected to reflect continued weakness in the Chinese economy, following dismal PMI readings for December.

Inflation reports from several major Asian economies and the U.S. CPI for December, due on Thursday, are expected to show a slight pick-up in U.S. inflation, with the CPI index set to remain well above the Fed’s 2% annual target. is also expected to accelerate.

The showed traders pricing in a nearly 63% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut in March, down from the 73.4% chance seen a week earlier.



Read more: Asian stocks slip as rate-cut bets ease; Inflation data deluge on tap By Investing.com