Asian stocks slipped on Monday as the dour mood that sullied last week's trading continued, with investors gearing up for a crucial run of central bank decisions and tech earnings.

In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index opened up 63 points, or 0.28 percent, at 23,156.

The tech index was up 16 points, or 0.43 percent, to 3,888 while the China enterprises index rose 21 points, or 0.28 percent, to 7,777.

Up north, the Shanghai Composite Index opened down 19 points, or 0.53 percent, at 3,671.

The Shenzhen Component Index fell 113 points, or 0.97 percent, to 11,560 while the ChiNext Index was 38 points, or 1.43 percent, lower at 2,645.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei opened 243 points, or 0.39 percent, lower at 62,449, peaked in morning trading at 62,856 before being 188 points down at one stage before lunch.

In Seoul, the Kospi fell 51 points, or 0.92 percent, to open at 5,499 and was 54 points lower at one stage before noon.

AI-linked firms continued to struggle amid worries about the sustainability of the colossal investment boom that pushed stock markets to multiple record highs in the first half of the year.

Traders are growing increasingly worried about when the vast sums pumped into the sector will see returns, if any, while rising interest rates and bond yields are now calling companies' finances into question.

This week sees the release of earnings from US titans and Magnificent Seven members Amazon, Microsoft and Alphabet as well as South Korean chipmakers SK hynix and Samsung.

Results from Tesla and Meta last week further stoked spending worries and helped drag stocks lower.

"The AI complex remains under a microscope ahead of what may be the most important stretch of earnings season so far," said SPI Asset Management's Stephen Innes.

"Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon are about to walk on stage, and this is not one of those quarters where a company can simply beat the number, raise the guidance by a whisker and expect applause. Investors want proof now.

"They want to know whether the billions going into the compute buildout are building a durable earnings machine or just a shinier version of the same old capex furnace."

Also in view this week are policy decisions by the US Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and Bank of Japan.

While the Fed is expected to hold borrowing costs, traders will be keen to get an insight into its thinking following last month's hike and as inflation remains well above its two percent target. (AFP/Xinhua)




Edited by Tony Sabine