Asian stocks were set for a slightly softer open after markets in the region posted gains last week amid a perceived easing in rhetoric in the U. S.-China trade dispute.
Asian stocks were set for a slightly softer open on Monday after major markets in the region posted gains last week amid a perceived easing in rhetoric in the U. S.-China trade dispute. Investors also awaited the release of a barrage of China economic data due later in the day.
Australian SPI futures were lower by 0.11 percent at the end on Friday. Meanwhile, markets in Japan will be closed for a holiday on Monday.
On Friday, the S&P 500 added 0.11 percent to end at 2,801.31, closing the session above the 2,800 level for the first time since Feb. 1. Other U. S. indexes also finished the session in positive territory: The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 0.38 percent, or 94.52 points, at 25,019.41, and the Nasdaq composite drifted higher by 0.03 percent to end the day at 7,825.98.
Despite the broader increase stateside, bank stocks dipped as markets digested the release of second-quarter earnings. Just over 5 percent of S&P 500 companies have reported second-quarter results so far.
