Most Asian stocks fell on Monday ahead of a U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate decision this week, while Chinese shares declined as weaker-than-expected retail sales data raised fresh concerns about the world’s second-largest economy.

Thai consumer confidence rose for a second consecutive month in November, bolstered by government economic measures and tourism, a survey showed on Thursday.

U.S. producer prices increased by the most in five months in November, but easing costs of services such as portfolio management fees and airline fares offered hope that the disinflationary trend remains in place despite stalled progress.

In a surprising turn of events, the number of initial jobless claims in the United States has seen an unexpected increase. The latest economic data reveals that the actual number of individuals who filed for unemployment insurance for the first time during the past week reached 242K.

Oil prices inched lower on Friday as investors focused on a forecast of ample supply and shrugged off expectations of higher demand next year from Chinese stimulus measures, while eyeing another Federal Reserve interest rate cut next week.

Global stocks were down and major Wall Street indexes fell on Thursday after the European Central Bank cut interest rates for a fourth time this year, as gold prices slid from a five-week high.