Asia-Pacific Markets Await Earnings and Economic Data

Asian stocks were mostly lower on Monday as investors brace for a week packed with economic data, central bank meetings, and earnings from tech giants. The sluggish market action followed Friday's strong surveys of business activity, which reinforced the case for higher interest rates. Apple and Microsoft alone have accounted for nearly half of the S&P 500's gains through March, so there is much riding on their outlooks. The Bank of Japan will hold its first meeting chaired by its new governor, Kazuo Ueda, and is expected to continue its policy easing.