Asian shares slipped today after most US stocks pared gains made during their recent rally, although the Nasdaq benchmark reached its second straight day at a record high as oil prices rose.
Asian Shares
- Australian S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.4 per cent.
- Japan’s Nikkei 225 index lost 0.8 per cent.
- South Korea’s Kospi slipped 0.3 per cent.
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.09 per cent.
- The S&P 500 declined 0.78 per cent.
- MSCI’s gauge of stocks across the globe fell 0.5 per cent, about 6 per cent below its all-time peak in February.
Commodities
Oil prices closed higher as concerns about a resurgence in coronavirus cases were offset by recent commitments from the major oil producers to rein in production.
- Brent oil futures rose 38 US cents to settle at US$41.18 (RM175.62) a barrel.
- US crude settled up 75 US cents at US$38.94.
- Gold jumped 1.2 per cent yesterday as investors sought refuge in the safe-haven asset as they await remarks from the Fed meeting.
- US gold futures settled up 1 per cent to US$1,721.90 an ounce.
Currency Markets
- In currency markets, the safe-haven yen and Swiss franc both gained against the dollar for a second straight day this week.
- The yen rose to one-week highs against the greenback, while the Swiss franc climbed to its highest in more than two months versus the greenback.
- Latin American stocks and currencies were down yesterday as investors cashed in after a recent rally. Regional currencies weakened ahead of the Fed meeting.
