Asian equity markets ended mixed on Monday as disappointing trade data out of China tempered investor optimism stemming from higher oil prices and reduced expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate increases this year. The US economy added just 160,000 jobs in April, the fewest number of jobs in seven months, compared to economist estimates for a jump of about 200,000 jobs, casting doubts on whether the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates before the 8 November presidential election. China stocks fell sharply again, reaching eight-month lows, as investors saw hopes for a strong economic recovery fade and worried about fresh regulatory curbs on speculation. Official data published on Sunday showed further signs of weakness in China with both exports and imports falling more than expected in April. Exports dropped an annual 1.8 percent in dollar terms, reversing an increase of 11.5 percent in the previous month, while imports dropped 10.9 percent, slowing further from the 7.5 percent decline in March. However, Japanese shares snapped a six-day losing streak as the yen's rally paused after reassuring comments on the currency from Finance Minister Taro Aso. Hong Kong shares stayed firm, aided in part by the strong energy sector as crude oil prices soared on supply woes stemming from wildfires in Canada.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 2,832.11 | -81.14 | -2.79 |
| Hang Seng | 20,156.81 | 46.94 | 0.23 |
| Jakarta Composite | 4,749.31 | -73.28 | -1.52 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,632.19 | -17.17 | -1.04 |
| Nikkei 225 | 16,216.03 | 109.31 | 0.68 |
| Straits Times | 2,766.06 | 35.26 | 1.29 |
| KOSPI Composite | 1,967.81 | -8.90 | -0.45 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 8,131.83 | -14.60 | -0.18 |