Japanese equities kick off the week with an earnings-related boost, leading gains in the Asia-Pacific though much of the region was shut for a holiday.
Japanese equities kicked off the week with an earnings-related boost, leading gains in the Asia-Pacific though much of the region was shut for a holiday.
Analysts expect uncertainty ahead of the French presidential runoff election on May 7 to limit any gains this week, with many investors likely to stay on the sidelines before the results.
“Basic story today is that earnings are quite good and political uncertainty is lowering, ” said Masayuki Kubota, chief strategist at online brokerage Rakuten Securities .
“Investors are anticipating solid results supported by low bad debt provisions and cost control. Yield investors continue to see banks as a relatively stable income proposition, ” said Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC Markets.
