Asia markets saw a volatile year in 2023, with inflation, rising interest rates and China’s sputtering recovery dragging down growth last year. Japan’s Nikkei 225 led the region in terms of market performance in 2023, and gained about 28% last year, according to data from Refinitiv. Japanese stocks have been supported by improving corporate results, as well as growing optimism that the Bank of Japan may finally end its ultra easy monetary policy after decades of near-zero interest rates. On the other hand, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was the worst major performer in the region, having had four straight years of ... (full story)