All eyes will be on China-US trade talks

INVESTORS looking to a positive start to the year were instead greeted by weak Chinese purchasing managers' index (PMI) figures which fed into mounting growth concerns and sent more investors erring on the side of caution.

Apple's lowered forecasts did not help either, placing markets in further peril in the mid-week on the back of a low liquidity environment as Japanese markets were closed.

Perhaps, good news comes to those who wait as Friday's confirmation of the resumption of formal talks between US and Chinese officials saw most Asian markets post gains on the day.