Asian stocks slip as investors await China data, Fed meeting

HONG KONG (AP) — Asian stock markets slipped Friday in holiday-thinned trading as investors shied away from risky assets before the release of Chinese economic data and a Fed policy meeting, and as fears loomed that Britain could vote to leave the European Union.

The latest figures for Chinese retail sales, industrial production and fixed asset investment are expected this weekend.

Export data released earlier this week showed further contraction as global and domestic demand remained weak, underscoring the difficulties officials in Beijing face in trying to reverse the slump.

Doubts are growing that U.S. policymakers will raise interest rates soon after Fed chief Janet Yellen said Monday that many lingering uncertainties mean it's unclear when the Fed should resume raising rates.

The uncertainty over how a so-called "Brexit" might affect financial markets is driving investors into safer assets, analysts said.