Asian stocks teeter as Russia, rates and China risks weigh

Asian stock markets were hesitant on Tuesday as investors awaited signals on the interest rate outlook. They were also concerned about potential risks to China and geopolitical turmoil following an aborted mutiny in Russia. MSCI’s Asia Pacific stocks minus Japan index gained 0.08%, while Japan’s benchmark Nikkei average fell by as much as 1%. S&P Global has reduced China’s economic growth forecast to 5.2% from 5.5% for 2023, representing the first time a major credit ratings agency has cut China’s forecast this year, further maligning China’s uneven recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.