Asia markets set to open mixed as investors assess trade developments, await China benchmark rates

Asia-Pacific markets were set to start the day mixed Monday, with investors keeping a close watch on the People's Bank of China's decision on its 1-year and 5-year loan prime rates for July, as well as the latest developments on the trade front.

Trade came into focus once again over the weekend as the White House reiterated its position on tariffs.

On Sunday, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called Aug. 1 the “hard deadline” for countries to start paying tariffs, though he also added that “nothing stops countries from talking to us after August 1.”

Here are the opening calls for the day

Good morning from Singapore.

Investors will be keeping a close watch on the People's Bank of China's decision on its 1-year and 5-year loan prime rates for July expected later in the day.

Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 24,883, pointing to a stronger open compared with the HSI's Friday close of 24,825.66.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was set to start the day lower with futures tied to the benchmark at 8,688, compared with its last close of 8,757.20.

Japanese markets were closed for a public holiday.

U.S. futures little changed in early Asia hours

U.S. equity futures fell in early Asia hours as investors tracked the latest developments in trade and awaited big tech earnings this week.

S&P 500 futures moved up 0.06%, while Nasdaq 100 futures ticked up 0.08%. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 24 points or 0.05%.

S&P 500, Dow end Friday in the red

The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average ended Friday in the red, with stocks turning lower in afternoon trading as tariff fears took over.

The 30-stock Dow lost 142.30 points, or 0.32%, ending at 44,342.19. The S&P 500 inched 0.01% lower to close the session at 6,296.79.The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite added just 0.05% to settle at 20,895.66.