Asian stocks were mixed on Monday with several key markets closed for a holiday, after U.S. stocks finished their best week of the year and climbed to the cusp of their records.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 0.3% to 17,312.37 after data released over the weekend showed a slowdown in China's economy in August, as factory output, retail sales and investment figures failed to meet expectations. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate unexpectedly surged to a six-month high, adding further challenges to the fragile economy.
"The drums of a deepening economic slowdown are beating louder, and it's time for China's leadership to decide whether to step up or risk sliding further into stagnation," Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 added 0.4% to 8,133.40.
Markets in Japan, mainland China and South Korea were closed for a holiday.
