Asia falls as global growth concerns rise

Asian stocks opened the week on a mixed performance amid a cautious outlook investors had on Thursday after the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) lowered its forecast again for the pace of global economic growth for the year 2019 and next year 2020. Following the widening US trade deficit of last year the highest since 2008.

In addition, markets are also looking at developments in trade talks between the world's top economies on the upcoming meeting of US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping later this month amid investors' hopes of a trade deal to avoid a trade war. Statements by officials from both sides were positive about the progress of the negotiations, but a full has not yet been reached.

Japan's indices saw falls during today's session, Japan's TOPIX fell 0.72%, losing 154.77 points to 21,442.04. while Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell 0.84% ​​to close at 1,601.72.

While Chinese indices were mixed, with the CSI 300 shedding 0.89% to 34.33 points and reaching 3,813.76. and SHCOMP rising 0.01% to 0.38 points and reached 3,102.48.

And Hang Seng shed 0.26%, 75.00 points to 28,962.60. Also, South Korea's Kospi fell 0.15%, shedding 3.34 points to 2,172.26.

Reaching the New Zealand NZX 50 index, which rose by 0.09% to gain 8.02 points and reach 9,423.02. 

On the other hand, Australia's S&P / ASX 200 index gained 0.27% to gain 16.78 points and reach 6,262.40.