Mixed China data sends Asian stocks lower

Asian stocks have generally traded lower today (December 10th), after the publication of data relating to China's factory activity.

Industrial production in the country increased by ten per cent in November, just below the consensus estimate for a 10.1 per cent increase.

This dampened sentiment on Asian markets, with investors expressing concerns any slowdown in the region could have a knock-on effect on neighbours including South Korea, Japan and Australia - which all consider China to be a key trade market.

Chinese retail sales figures were also released today and showed an increase of 13.7 per cent month-on-month, ahead of expectations for a 13.3 per cent advance.

Following the release of the data, the Nikkei 225 index closed 0.25 per cent lower at 15,611.31 points, while the Hang Seng declined by 0.3 per cent.

Asian markets traded broadly lower despite the strong advance on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 closed at an all-time high, amid expectations of strengthening in the US economy.