Asian stock markets bounced broadly on Monday as investors dared to hope for both progress at Sino-U.S. trade talks in Washington this week and more policy stimulus from major central banks.
Asian Stock Markets
- MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.9 percent.
- Japan’s Nikkei climbed 1.8 percent to its highest level of the year so far.
- E-Mini futures for the S&P 500.
- South Korea’s KOSPI shed 1.45 percent.
- The S&P 500 lost about 0.3 percent on Thursday.
Currency Market
The European Central Bank’s Olli Rehn told a German newspaper on Sunday that recent data point to a weakening euro zone economy and interest rates would remain at the current level until monetary policy goals have been met.
- The euro edged up 0.2 percent on Monday to $1.1312.
- The dollar was steady on the yen at 110.53.
- Sterling was a shade firmer at $1.2913.
Commodities
- The dollar helped spot gold firm 0.2 percent to $1,323.56 per ounce.
- U.S. crude was last up 25 cents at $55.84 a barrel.
- Brent crude futures rose 5 cents to $66.30.
