Most Asian equities traded in a narrow range on Thursday after data from China indicated continued weakening in the region's largest economy, despite the fact that most indices had seen solid gains in November.
The major drivers of an Asian market surge in November were easing expectations of interest rate hikes in the United States, a dovish Bank of Japan, and a bit of bargain hunting. However, Chinese bourses lagged behind their peers throughout the month, owing to persistent fears over a faltering economic recovery.
In November, China's PMIs Disappoint, and equities lag Asia
China's Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indices, as well as the Hang Seng, climbed marginally on Thursday. According to the purchasing managers index, Chinese manufacturing activity dropped more than projected in November.
Non-manufacturing activity grew at its slowest pace in 2023, while overall business activity approached contraction territory, a trend last seen during the COVID-19 crisis.
The readings raised concerns about a Chinese economic slowdown, particularly as the government deals with deteriorating demand in its main export markets. However, traders believe that the trend will entice Beijing to implement more comprehensive stimulus measures.
Nonetheless, Chinese stocks lagged behind their Asian peers in November. The CSI 300 index was expected to fall 2.1% for the month, while the Shanghai Composite and Hang Seng were practically unchanged. Broader Asian markets gained slightly on Thursday, but were still on track for a robust November.
The ASX 200 in Australia climbed 0.1% after statistics revealed that new building approvals soared in October following a slowdown for much of the year. Other figures, however, showed that private capital investment increased less than predicted in the third quarter.
In November, the ASX was expected to gain 3.9%
Following a robust gain on Wednesday, futures for India's Nifty 50 index predicted a favorable open. Optimism over India's economy, which is the fastest-growing major country this year, has propelled the Nifty to a 5.3% gain in November. The approaching Indian GDP report for the September quarter, which is likely to indicate solid, albeit slowing, growth in the economy, was also a focus.
In November, Japan and South Korea led Asian stocks
After conflicting readings on retail sales and industrial production, Japan's Nikkei 225 index moved little on Thursday. However, a dovish Bank of Japan and a flurry of solid quarterly reports put the Nikkei on track for a 7.9% gain in November, keeping the index close to a 33-year high.
South Korea's KOSPI was unchanged on Thursday as the Bank of Korea left interest rates unchanged, as predicted. For October, industrial production figures fell short of forecasts.
However, the KOSPI was the strongest performance among Asian indices in November, rising 10.6% on the strength of heavyweight technology stocks. Earlier in November, the index experienced a roughly 6% intraday rise when the government prohibited short-selling in domestic markets.