Traders in Asian Markets Maintains a Cautious Mood

Asian shares positive yet cautious on Monday amid concerns on likely  rise in UK interest rates and mixed reports on U.S. jobs and manufacturing, while surging oil prices added to worries over inflation.

Data from China on Sunday showed factory activity in China slowed in January as fresh resurgence of COVID-19 cases hit production and demand.

The standoff over Ukraine remains tense as Pentagon earlier said Russia added more troops.

The Bank of England is likely to hike rates again this week, continuing the global trend toward tighter policy. The European Central Bank is expected to maintain interest rate as it believes inflation will ease over time.

Markets have swung to pricing in five hikes from the Federal Reserve this year to 1.25% , though investors still see rates peaking at a historically low 1.75-2.0%.