Asian markets get 2022 off to mixed start in thinned trade

A TV camera man stands near the screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) at the Korea Exchange in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Jan 3, 2022. Asian stock markets were mixed Monday on 2022's first trading day after Wall Street ended last year with a double-digit gain. - AP

Hong Kong, Jan 3, 2022 (AFP): The new year got off to a mixed start on Monday in holiday-thinned Asian trade, following a healthy run-up at the end of last week, with some cheer provided by data suggesting regional economies improved last month.

However, investors remain shackled by concerns about a range of issues including the fast-spreading Omicron variant, inflation, the removal of central bank stimulus and geopolitical tensions.