Asia stock markets cautious, seeking Sino-U.S. clarity
Asian stock markets were in a cautious mood on Thursday as investors hung on for any hint of progress in the latest Sino-U.S. tariff talks amid reports the White House could extend the deadline for a deal.
Asian Stock Markets
- MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan eased 0.2 percent.
- Japan’s Nikkei edged up 0.1 percent to its highest for the year as a weakening yen boosted export stocks.
- The Australian dollar, often used as a liquid proxy for China risks, gained 0.4 percent to $0.7114.
Currencies
- The single currency was last at $1.1280 and still above the floor of a $1.1213/1.1570.
- Sterling was also on edge at $1.1860.
- All of which left the dollar near its highest since mid-December on a basket of currencies at 97.059.
Commodities
- Oil prices found support as top exporter Saudi Arabia said it would cut crude exports and deliver an even deeper cut to its production.
- Spot gold edged up 0.18 percent to $1,308.56 per ounce.
- U.S. crude was last up 24 cents at $54.14 a barrel.
- Brent crude futures rose 32 cents to $63.93.
Source: Investing.com