Asian markets ended mixed on Monday tracking Wall Street’s losses last Friday as a cautious undertone prevailed heading into year-end, while higher US Treasury yields and ongoing geopolitical risks around the world kept sentiments cautious. Investors are awaiting signals to Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook for 2025 and US President elect Donald Trump's tariff policies. Japanese shares declined after data showed the sixth straight month of fall in Japan's manufacturing for December, albeit at a slower pace. Seoul shares declined after the country grapples with political turmoil and downbeat industrial data. South Korea's joint investigation team said that it has sought an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived imposition of martial law, making him the first sitting President to face arrest. The team said it sought the warrant on insurrection and abuse of power charges after Yoon ignored three summonses to appear for questioning. Meanwhile, Chinese shares gained ahead of manufacturing PMI data due on Tuesday.
| Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
| Shanghai Composite | 3,407.33 | 7.19 | 0.21 |
| Hang Seng | 20,041.42 | -49.04 | -0.24 |
| Jakarta Composite | 7,079.90 | 43.33 | 0.62 |
| KLSE Composite | 1,637.68 | 9.54 | 0.59 |
| Nikkei 225 | 39,894.54 | -386.62 | -0.97 |
| Straits Times | 3,795.73 | 24.10 | 0.63 |
| KOSPI Composite | 2,399.49 | -5.28 | -0.22 |
| Taiwan Weighted | 23,190.20 | -85.48 | -0.37 |
