Asian stocks open the week mixed

Asian stocks opened mixed today, as the Chinese stocks were mixed while the Australian and New Zealand's stocks in addition to Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell, as the South Korean Kospi rose, amid a public holiday in Japan.

China released its annual reading for the retail sales which showed that growth slowed to 7.5% vs. 7.6% July, lower than forecasts of 7.9%, while the industrial output grew to 4.4% vs. 4.8%, lower than forecasts of 5.2%, while the unemployment rate fell to 5.2% vs. 5.3%.

The People's Bank of China announced earlier this month the reduction of the banks reserve requirements, which came into effect this week and been reduced by 50 basis points, and also for some eligible banks it has been reduced by 100 basis points, while the Chinese economy is also planning on providing liquidity of 800 billion yuan ($113 billion).

Otherwise, the energy sector surged early this week as oil prices jumped after drone attacks on oil production platforms in Saudi Arabia by the Yemeni Houthi group over the weekend.

The Chinese stocks saw a mixed performance, as the CSI 300 fell by 0.25% or 9.79 points to 3,962.59, while the Shanghai Composite rose by 0.1% or 0.36 points to 3,031.59.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell by 1.10% or 301.87 points to 27,050.82, while the South Korean Kospi rose by 0.52% or 10.60 points to 2.059.80.

To New Zealand's NZX 50, which fell by 0.10% or 11.01 points to 10,852.40, and the Australian S&P/ASX 200 fell by 0.01% or 0.38 points to 6,668.80.