China's exports fall, inflation accelerates

Over the weekend, China reported that its exports fell 0.3 percent in September from a year earlier. Imports rose 7.4 percent.

The fall in exports could be a sign of weak global demand, although it may have been exaggerated by inflated export data last year caused by fake invoices.

In any case, China's policy makers may be hesitant about stimulating the economy after a report on Monday showed that the consumer price index rose 3.1 percent in September from a year earlier, more than the 2.6 percent increase in August.

Indeed, another Asian economy, Singapore, decided on Monday to maintain tight monetary policy despite the Singapore economy contracting in the third quarter.