Stocks in Japan, China slip as Asian markets take cautious start to new quarter

Asian stocks were mixed in early trading Monday as traders kicked off a new month and quarter.

The Nikkei NIK, -0.53% � lagged early, dropping 0.3% as automakers such as Honda 7267, -0.43% � and Nissan 7201, -1.02% � dropped some 1% on President Donald Trump��s weekend auto-tariff talk. South Korea��s Hyundai 005380, -1.59% � was down similarly, and the Kospi index SEU, -1.16% � was essentially flat along with Australia��s S&P/ASX 200 XJO, +0.12% �. New Zealand��s NZX 50 NZ50GR, +0.15% �, among the few indexes that didn��t log decent gains Friday, was up 0.3% at midday.

Japanese stocks maintained their early weakness as U.S.-related worries persisted, with a slump in sectors ranging from food to rubber, airlines and retail. But the weakest big-cap was Hitachi Chemical 4217, -3.18% �, down 3.5% to 21-month lows after disclosing inappropriate data entries related to lead-acid batteries. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan��s Tankan business-sentiment report just missed in regards to big manufacturers but was solidly in positive territory. However, it predicted the dollar will weaken to 楼107.26, 3.5 yen below where the greenback currently trades. A stronger yen is a negative for many Japanese firms�� earnings.

In China, both the Shanghai Composite SHCOMP, -1.13% � and the Shenzhen Composite 399106, -0.50% �slid, as Chinese tariffs on $34 billion in U.S. goods are scheduled to take effect at the end of the week. Hong Kong��s Hang Seng Index was closed for a holiday.

After logging its biggest gain in nearly 2陆 years on Friday, Malaysia��s stock benchmark FBMKLCI, -0.44% � was slightly lower to start Monday��s trading. Shares in Taiwan Y9999, -0.10% � and Singapore STI, -0.66% � also rose in early trading.

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Comment Related Topics Asia Markets China Japan Australia Singapore Foreign Investment Quote References NIK -119.01 -0.53% 7267 -14.00 -0.43% 7201 -11.00 -1.02% 005380 -2,000.00 -1.59% SEU -26.92 -1.16% XJO +7.60 +0.12% NZ50GR +13.63 +0.15% 4217 -71.00 -3.18% SHCOMP -32.28 -1.13% 399106 -8.06 -0.50% FBMKLCI -7.49 -0.44% Y9999 -11.14 -0.10% STI -21.56 -0.66% Show all references MarketWatch Partner Center Most Popular I earn $13 per hour babysitting two boys, but their mother wants to hire another girl and pay me 50% my hourly rate ��Godfather�� of chart analysis says stock market now dealing with ��uglier action�� My new wife wanted to live with me for free, even though she had $800,000 in the bank��so I asked her to move out Have a Citi credit card? You may be getting some money back Bitcoin��s meteoric fall means calls for rallies to $25,000 by year-end are in dire jeopardy Community Guidelines �� FAQs BACK TO TOP MarketWatch Site Index Topics Help Feedback Newsroom Roster Media Archive Premium Products Mobile Company Company Info Code of Conduct Corrections Advertising Media Kit Advertise Locally Reprints & Licensing Your Ad Choices   Dow Jones Network WSJ.com Barron's Online BigCharts Virtual Stock Exchange Financial News London WSJ.com Small Business realtor.com Mansion Global

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