Open in App Search the website... Sign In Free Sign Up Markets Indices Stocks Commodities Cryptocurrency Currencies ETFs Funds Bonds Certificates My Watchlist Crypto All Cryptocurrencies Cryptocurrency Pairs ICO Calendar Cryptocurrency Brokers Cryptocurrency Bitcoin Ethereum Ripple Cardano Solana Dogecoin SHIBA INU Polkadot Currency Converter News Stock Markets Earnings Analyst Ratings Transcripts Cryptocurrency Commodities Currencies Economy Economic Indicators Breaking News Pro News Analysis Market Overview Currencies Stock Markets Commodities Bonds Cryptocurrency ETFs Charts Live Charts Currency Chart Futures Chart Stocks Chart Indices Chart Cryptocurrency Chart Technical Technical Summary Technical Analysis Pivot Points Moving Averages Indicators Candlestick Patterns Brokers Currency Brokers Stock Brokers Online Brokers Crypto Exchanges Tools Economic Calendar Holiday Calendar Earnings Calendar Dividend Calendar Splits Calendar IPO Calendar Futures Expiry Calendar Academy Master Stocks Master Crypto Master Stock Analysis Unlock Company Statistics Top Stocks Top Dividend Stocks Top Gold ETFs More Prop Trading Stock Prop Trading Firms Alerts Webinars Conferences Trading Guide Central Banks Insights Ad-Free Version Sign out Asia stocks mixed ahead of major interest rate decisions, China's weak data drags Ayushman Ojha Author Ayushman Ojha Published 12/16/2024, 10:37 PM Asia stocks mixed ahead of major interest rate decisions, China's weak data drags © Reuters. AXJO 0.88% JP225 0.29% IND50 -0.45% JKSE -0.51% KS11 -0.98% SETI -0.36% SSEC -0.57% TOPX 0.12% PSI -1.84% CSI300 0.34% Investing.com-- Asian stocks were mixed on Tuesday as markets awaited interest rate decisions from major central banks later this week, while weak Chinese economic readings released a day earlier eroded risk sentiment. The U.S. Federal Reserve will meet on Wednesday to decide its key interest rates, where a 25 basis point cut is largely expected. Markets were awaiting signals on the Fed’s long-term rate trajectory from this meeting. U.S. stock index futures fell slightly in Asian trade. The indexes closed higher overnight with gains in technology stocks. Markets await interest rate decisions in Asia Apart from the Fed meeting, interest rate decisions from Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines were also in focus this week. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.3% and TOPIX ticked higher ahead of the Bank of Japan’s policy meeting later this week. Reuters had reported the BOJ was likely to keep interest rates unchanged this week, in contrast to earlier expectations of a hike. Indonesia’s Jakarta Stock Exchange Composite Index slipped 0.5%. The Bank Indonesia (BI) will decide its key interest rates on Wednesday. A slim majority of economists in a Reuters poll expect BI to maintain its key interest rate to support the rupiah. This comes after most had anticipated a rate cut just a month ago. Thailand’s SET Index was largely muted as the Bank of Thailand (BOT) is expected to keep its key interest rate unchanged on Wednesday following an unexpected rate cut in October. Markets are split on whether the bank will maintain the rate or reduce it further early next year. 3rd party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Investing.com. See disclosure here or remove ads. Philippine’s PSEi Composite index declined 1.5% ahead of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP) interest rate decision on Thursday. The Philippine central bank is expected to reduce its key policy rate by 25 basis points for the third consecutive time, as inflation remains manageable and the economy shows signs of weakening. China, Hong Kong stocks drop after weak econ data China’s Shanghai Composite fell 0.5%, while the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 index gained 0.4%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index declined 0.5%. China’s Industrial output increased as expected, however, retail sales growth decelerated sharply in November, highlighting persistent weaknesses in consumer spending. Moreover, home prices declined at a slightly slower pace, highlighting ongoing challenges in the real estate sector. In other regions, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 jumped 0.8%, while India’s Nifty 50 Futures pointed to a negative start on Tuesday. South Korea’s KOSPI index fell 0.9% amid an ongoing political crisis in the country. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached in parliament on Saturday over his attempt to impose martial law in the country. Which stock should you buy in your very next trade? AI computing powers are changing the stock market. Investing.com's ProPicks AI includes 6 winning stock portfolios chosen by our advanced AI. In 2024 alone, ProPicks AI identified 2 stocks that surged over 150%, 4 additional stocks that leaped over 30%, and 3 more that climbed over 25%. Which stock will be the next to soar?