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Hong Kong - Asian markets mostly fell on Monday as investors look ahead to the release later in the week of key Chinese economic data for June, while the dollar added to last week's gains following a strong US jobs report.
Tokyo was a touch higher thanks to a weaker yen but Hong Kong lost 0.10%, Shanghai eased 0.14%, Seoul shed 0.41% and Sydney slipped 0.11%.
With Wall Street closed on Friday for the Independence Day holiday, there were few catalysts to drive regional business after ending last week mixed.
The Labour Department said on Thursday the US economy added 288 000 jobs last month, while the unemployment rate fell to 6.1% from 6.3% in May. The figures were well above expectations of 215 000 and add to the sense that a recovery is well on track.
Focus is now on Beijing, where the government will on Wednesday release inflation data followed on Thursday by trade statistics.
On currency markets the dollar maintained its recent gains against the yen that were boosted by the US jobs report.
The greenback bought ¥102.17 in early Tokyo trade, compared with ¥102.08 on Friday.
The euro was at $1.3582 and ¥138.77 against $1.3600 and ¥138.90.
Oil prices edged lower. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for August delivery eased 27 cents to $103.79 while Brent crude for August was down five cents to $110.59.
Gold fetched $1 316.40 an ounce at 04:30 compared with $1 322.84 late on Friday.
