WASHINGTON, Aug 7 ― Asia shares were poised to open higher today, tracking global equity markets' overnight gains as investors awaited a US nonfarm payrolls report.
Hong Kong futures were up 0.23 per cent and Nikkei futures were trading above the Nikkei 225 index's previous close, pointing to an opening advance of 0.14 per cent.
Gold continued its rally, with spot prices rising 0.32 per cent and striking a fresh record of US$2,072.4951 (RM8,675) per ounce.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.68 per cent and the S&P 500 gained 0.64 per cent. The Nasdaq Composite added 1 per cent, marking the fourth straight day of record peaks and closing highs as the tech-heavy index ended the session above 11,000 for the first time.
MSCI's benchmark for global equity markets rose 0.23 per cent to 565.38.
The euro climbed to its highest against the US dollar since May 2018 before paring gains and the greenback slumped to a two-year low against a basket of major currencies .
Mixed US jobless claims data yesterday left investors awaiting a clearer picture. Fewer Americans sought jobless benefits last week, but a staggering 31.3 million people were receiving unemployment checks in mid-July, suggesting the US labour market was stalling, the data showed.
US nonfarm payroll data was expected later today.
The Treasury yield curve flattened slightly as government bond investors, who have expressed doubt about the stability of the US labour market's recovery this past week, awaited the data.
“This July read will also represent the last month of hiring that has been a factor of re-openings ― the August print will be a whole new game, hence why we need to see a fiscal stimulus agreement through Congress sooner,” Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone, said in a market note.
Republicans and Democrats remained far apart about what to include in another wave of coronavirus stimulus. The Treasury Secretary and White House Chief of Staff began another round of negotiations with the top Democratic leaders in Congress.
Even though many senators already have left town, the four negotiators were continuing efforts for a deal that could be voted upon by summoning senators back to Washington.
China trade data was due out later today. ― Reuters
