Asian markets start Q4 on a quiet note

IN what was a quiet trading day, Asian markets traded mixed on the first day of the fourth quarter as Hong Kong and Chinese markets were closed.

Hong Kong was closed for National Day while mainland Chinese markets will continue to be closed for the week due to the Golden Week national day holiday.

IG sales trader Jayden Loh said: "Trade tensions are taking a toll on China's economy with obvious signs showing from China's Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data released (last) Friday. For the first time since June 2017, Caixin PMI stalled at 50, a reading precariously close to signalling a contraction in the economy."