China Stocks Steady Amid Global Uncertainty: Key Economic Data Ahead

China stocks traded within a narrow range due to concerns about a potential economic slowdown, while regional markets in Asia edged higher. Investors are awaiting significant economic data releases from the U.S. and China to gauge global growth prospects. Key indexes closed with mixed results.

China stocks traded in a narrow range on Monday, even as regional markets advanced, as concerns surrounding a potential slowdown in the world's second-largest economy prompted investors to remain on the sidelines.

Asian stocks edged higher as a holiday in Japan removed one source of recent volatility, and investors hunkered down for major U.S. and Chinese economic data for an update on global growth prospects. 'The complexity and uncertainty of the external environment have increased significantly. Many problems cannot be solved quickly in the short term; combined with the recent decline in overseas markets, the A-share market will remain range-bound,' Orient Securities said in a note.

Investors awaited U.S. producer and consumer prices numbers due on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, as well as a global central bankers' meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to gauge the Federal Reserve's rate trajectory. China will also release a flurry of indicators this week, including credit and economic activity data, which is likely to show that the economy got off to a weak start in the second half of the year.

At the close, the Shanghai Composite index was down 0.14% at 2,858.20. The blue-chip CSI300 index was down 0.17%, with its financial sector sub-index lower by 0.22%, the consumer staples sector up 0.03%, the real estate index down 3.29% and the healthcare sub-index up 1.11%.

At the close of trade, the Hang Seng index was up 21.42 points or 0.13% at 17,111.65. The Hang Seng China Enterprises index rose 0.2% to 6,029.66. The smaller Shenzhen index ended down 0.47% and the start-up board ChiNext Composite index was weaker by 0.204%.

The sub-index of the Hang Seng tracking energy shares rose 0.3%, while the IT sector rose 0.35%, the financial sector ended 0.59% higher and the property sector dipped 1.16%. Around the region, MSCI's Asia ex-Japan stock index was firmer by 0.42%, while Japan's Nikkei index closed up 0.56%.

(With inputs from agencies.)