Futures pointed to a mixed start for markets in Asia today, with investors focused on the South Korean election and Australian federal budget.
Asian markets looked set for a mixed open as investors focused on key regional events unfolding in the day, including a presidential election in South Korea and the release of the Australian federal budget.
South Koreans take to the polls today to choose a new leader after the ouster of former President Park Geun-hye on bribery charges. The front-runner in the election today is Moon Jae-in from the liberal Democratic Party of Korea. Polls show that Moon has secured 38 percent of support from voters among a total of 13 candidates, according to Reuters.
The Korean won was trading weaker for a third straight session, with the dollar fetching 1,132.51 at 6: 50 am HK/SIN.
Markets in the country are closed today.
Nikkei futures in Chicago edged higher by 0.15 percent to trade at 19,925 against the benchmark close of 19,895.7 yesterday. Osaka futures were 0.
