Asia markets rise in thin holiday trade ahead of PCE inflation data

Japan (NKY:IND) +0.67%. Japan’s industrial output slipped 0.1% in February, and retail sales exceeded forecasts. Japan’s Tokyo inflation slows as expected in March. Japan’s housing starts declined by 8.2% Y/Y in February 2024, steeper than a 7.5% fall in the prior month and compared with market forecasts of a 5.5% drop. China (SHCOMP) +0.40%. The index extended gains from the previous session amid hopes that Chinese authorities would step up policy support to boost growth. Chinese legislator Zhao Leji also said on Thursday that the country will open up its economy further to foreign investors, lifting market sentiment. Hong Kong…