* Asian stock markets : https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4 * China retail data badly misses forecasts * Fed seen cutting 25bps, focus on future easing plans * BOE, BOJ and Norges seen on hold, Sweden to cut * Rising Treasury yields underpin dollar, pressure stocks (Adds China retail data in paragraph 2, updates prices to midday) By Wayne Cole SYDNEY, Dec 16 (Reuters)...

TOKYO, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average climbed on Monday as chip-related shares were boosted by a rise in their U.S. peers, but investors' positioning ahead of major central bank decisions this week capped gains. The Nikkei added 0.2% to 39,533.55 by the midday break, while the broader Topix shed 0.04% to 2,745.46. While U.S. stocks closed the...

* Investors call peak pessimism, start bargain hunting * Europe weighed down by political turmoil, tariff threats * Potential German stimulus, China recovery seen as catalysts By Naomi Rovnick LONDON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - The year ahead is shaping up badly for Europe with its financial markets already hit hard by U.S. tariff fears and political turmoil in France and...

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Asian stock markets were in a wary mood on Monday as surging bond yields challenged equity valuations, particularly for the richly priced tech sector, in a week packed with central bank meetings and major economic data. Figures from China out on Monday showed retail sales rose just 3.0% in November, compared to a year earlier, well below...