Asia stocks lag Nikkei's ascent, China skips rate cut

SYDNEY: Asian shares got off to a stumbling start on Monday as China's central bank wrong footed markets by skipping on a rate cut, even as data due this week is expected to show the economic recovery there remains fragile.

China reports economic growth data for the fourth quarter and a slew of monthly figures on Wednesday, and investors have become used to being underwhelmed by activity as Beijing drip feeds its stimulus.