- Asian equities gave up some of their earlier gains after a tech-led US rise, with Chinese shares reversing course as the initial boost from expectations of new monetary easing faded.
- The CSI 300 index for mainland Chinese shares fell 0.2% after gaining as high as 0.6% earlier. Its morning advances came as a Chinese central bank official indicated that the government is poised to further loosen policy by reducing banks' official reserves. Hong Kong stock gains have narrowed significantly.
- South Korean shares also shifted direction, followed by a drop in Samsung Electronics, which reported its sixth consecutive quarter of falling operational profit.
- The weakness partially offset advances in Australia and Japan, which resumed trading after a holiday break. Contracts for US equities fell somewhat after the Nasdaq 100 excelled on Monday. Treasuries rates fell, while the dollar remained stable in Asia trading.
- Aside from the latest tech boom, investors will be watching major inflation numbers from the United States and China later this week. Consumer price hikes in Tokyo declined for a second month in December, roughly consistent with the Bank of Japan's view that import-driven pricing pressures are easing.
