Stock markets in Asia traded mostly lower after the release of Chinese factory activity contracted in April, while a number of markets are closed on holiday.
As of 9:37 local time in Thailand, Nikkei fell 0.72%, ASX200 dropped 1.58%, Kospi decreased 0.71%, while IDX Composite rose 0.45%.
Markets in Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan are closed on Monday due to a holiday.
The official manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index for April dropped to 47.4, a second straight month of contraction following March’s reading of 49.5, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed Saturday.
Moreover, a private survey also showed contraction in Chinese factory activity, with the Caixin/Markit manufacturing PMI expected to come in at 46, indicating a decline from the previous month’s reading of 48.1.
