GLOBAL MARKETS-Asia stocks stumble, China skips on rate cut

SYDNEY, Jan 15 (Reuters) – Asian shares got off to a stumbling start on Monday as China’s central bank wrong footed markets by skipping on a rate cut, even as data due this week is expected to show the economic recovery there remains fragile. China reports economic growth data for the fourth quarter and a slew of monthly figures on Wednesday, and investors have become used to being underwhelmed by activity as Beijing drip feeds its stimulus. Chinese blue chips eased 0.5% in response, reaching their lowest since early 2019. A holiday in the United States also made for thin trading, but at least there was progress on averting an imminent government shutdown as congressional leaders agreed on another stopgap…