Asian stock markets close Monday lower except for China

ANKARA

Major Asian stock markets were lower at Monday's close except for China ahead of US inflation data due this week.

The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, decreased 0.83% to 3,465.40 points as of 1000GMT.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 lost 0.88% to close at 27,427.32 points.

The Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange, also slipped 0.12% to 21,164.42 points.

China's Shanghai Stock Exchange, on the other hand, rose 0.72% to close at 3,284.16 as investors hailed relaxation of almost all COVID-19 restrictions.

The Singapore index dove 1.07% to end the day at 3,324.70 points, while India's Sensex benchmark dropped 0.42% to close at 60,426.24.

Singapore’s economy grew by 2.1% on an annual basis in the fourth quarter 2022, below market forecast of a 2.3% growth.