Asia markets trade mixed ahead of U.S. vote on debt ceiling deal; Hong Kong set for new lows

Markets have rallied this year despite economic uncertainty in the United States.

Some parts of the markets are expensive right now, but analysts say some sectors are still cheap.

They name four stocks that are still cheap to buy, including one in tech.

CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.

— Weizhen Tan

Nvidia’s earnings blockbuster has gotten investors excited.

In a May 25 note, BofA said Nvidia’s “rosy outlook” when it comes to data centers and artificial intelligence has reaffirmed its positive view on the AI server hardware supply chain.

It named three global stocks to play the Nvidia and AI buzz.

CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.

— Weizhen Tan

President Joe Biden and Congressional leaders reached an initial agreement on over the weekend to avoid a U.S. default, with the bill set for a vote as soon as this week.

House Majority Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Biden had been at odds for weeks over raising the debt ceiling, with the first inklings of real progress coming last week. Key provisions that necessitated compromise included keeping non-defense spending flat for the next two years as well as increasing work requirements of food stamp benefits.

Still, the bill will need both Republican and Democratic support to make it to President Biden’s desk before the so-called “X date” on June 5, which is the earliest time the Treasury Department has signaled the U.S. could default.

— Brian Evans

China’s purchasing managers’ index readings for May alongside the Bank of Thailand’s meeting and South Korea’s inflation and gross domestic product reports will be in focus this week.

On Monday, Hong Kong’s trade data for April will be published after the region saw a contraction of 0.6% in imports and a contraction of 1.5% in exports in March.

Japan’s unemployment rate for April will be released as well as Australia’s building approvals for the same month on Tuesday. Thailand’s industrial production for April will also be released.

China’s National Bureau of Statistics will publish the economy’s purchasing managers index for May. Economists surveyed by Reuters expect the reading to remain under the 50-mark that separates contraction and growth at 49.4, after April’s reading of 49.2.

The Bank of Thailand is set to announce its rate decision on the same day.

South Korea’s industrial production for April on Wednesday is expected to show a further decline of 7.9% in April, according to economists surveyed by Reuters.

Retail sales for South Korea and Japan are also scheduled to be released on the same day. India will release its gross domestic product for the third quarter of the year. South Korea will also publish its latest trade figures alongside Australia’s retail sales.

Indonesia markets will be closed on Thursday and Friday, while Singapore will observe a market holiday on June 2. South Korea’s gross domestic product and its latest inflation readings will be released on Friday.

— Jihye Lee