Asian markets were mixed on Monday as shares in Tokyo turned lower while stocks in Hong Kong logged modest gains amid increasing speculation that the world's largest economies will use monetary easing measures to stimulate growth.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed down 2 points at 8,869 while the Hang Seng advanced 25 points at 19,827 in Hong Kong.

Bets that the US Federal Reserve will outline new policy measures at its upcoming policy meeting increased following Friday's disappointing jobs figures.

US employers added fewer jobs than economists forecast last month, putting further pressure on the Fed to bolster growth when they meet later this week.

Meanwhile separate figures showed China's industrial output grew at the slowest rate since 2009 last month. China exports rose by 2.7% year-on-year in August, while imports fell, the latest Chinese customs data showed.

Japanese growth figures failed to provide any cheer with the latest data showing the economy expanded at half the rate expected in the second quarter. The government said the Japanese economy grew at an annual rate of 0.7% during the April to June quarter compared to previous estimates of 1.4% for the period.

The disappointing data weighed on key exporters like Canon which fell 1.4% while Sharp retreated 2%.

Otherwise commodities enjoyed strong interest with shares of Jiangxi Copper and Aluminum Corp of China both 2% higher after a spike in commodity prices.




CJ

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