Asian stocks mostly rose on Monday as investors assessed fresh data that tempered expectations for a US interest rate hike, but indicated weakness in the world's top economy.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index ended trading for the day up 336 points, or 1.3 percent, at 25,453 on turnover of HK$210.77 billion.

The tech index rose 74 points, or 1.6 percent, to 4,782 while the China enterprises index was 99 points, or 1.2 percent, higher at 8,439.

Hong Kong was lifted by tech giants Alibaba, Tencent and JD.com.

On the mainland, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 55 points, or 1.41 percent, to end the day's trading at 3,982 on turnover of 1.11 trillion yuan.

The Shenzhen Component Index was almost 350 points, or 2.44 percent, up at 14,704 on turnover of 1.275 trillion yuan while the ChiNext Index was 113 points, or 3.14 percent, higher at 3,740 on turnover of 629 billion yuan.

Shares related to semiconductors, agriculture and precious metals led gains while those in sectors such as liquor, gaming, film and television were among top decliners.

With the South Korea bourse observing a public holiday, the Nikkei reversed earlier losses to close 506 points, or 0.74 percent, higher at 69,220 in Tokyo as investors weighed weaker-than-expected domestic growth data.

The broad ⁠Topix share index slipped 13 points, or 0.31 percent, to 4,184.

Hopes the US Federal Reserve would not tighten policy next month boosted US equities last week as closely watched reports pointed to a softening labour market and inflation easing.

The moves suggested that traders were taking the "bad news is good news" approach, but figures on Friday raised questions about the health of the economy and led observers to warn that investors should be careful what they wish for.

Retail sales fell 0.6 percent month on month in July, the worst performance in more than a year, while consumer sentiment plunged as households battered by the fallout from US President Donald Trump's Iran war curbed spending and raised their expectations of inflation.

Payrolls data at the start of the month "was followed by broadly in-line inflation, softer retail sales and weaker consumer sentiment", said Fawad Razaqzada at Forex.com.

"Taken together, the data suggest that US economic momentum may be losing some steam, strengthening expectations that the Federal Reserve could leave rates unchanged in September."

Traders now put the chances of a Fed hike at one in four, compared with 50:50 last week, according to Bloomberg.

Eyes will now be on the release of earnings this week from retail titans Walmart, Home Depot and Target, which could give a clearer view of consumer sentiment.

While there are growing concerns about the state of the US economy, Asian investors are taking a more positive approach for now, with tech firms again enjoying a recovery from July's selloff.

Chipmaker Kioxia soared more than 15 percent in Tokyo while SoftBank, Advantest and Tokyo Electron added between 1.6 and 2.6 percent.

There appeared little major reaction to data showing Japan's economic growth fell short of forecasts in the second quarter. (Reuters/Xinhua)




Edited by Tony Sabine