In Asian Equity Markets the Nikkei 225 declined 0.57 percent, with falls in utilities, energy and pharmaceuticals weighing on the overall index in the morning. The broader Topix traded lower by 0.29 percent. Elsewhere, the Kospi pared steeper losses from earlier to hover just below the flat line as investors digested earnings releases. Chinese stocks traded in different directions. The Shanghai Composite rose 0.4 percent as financials and metals gained while the smaller Shenzhen Composite pulled back by 0.46 percent.

 

In Currency Markets the US dollar was flat against its peers on Monday, as market participants awaited key central bank meetings this week, which could set the near-term course for currencies. Central banks in focus include the Bank of Japan, which ends a two-day meeting on Tuesday, and the Federal Reserve, which concludes its policy meeting on Wednesday. The Bank of England also makes a policy decision on Thursday. The dollar index against a basket of six major currencies stood little changed at 94.662 after falling slightly on Friday.

 

In Commodities Markets oil prices were mixed on Monday with U.S. benchmark WTI nudging higher after four weeks of declines, while Brent began the week lower as the fallout from trade tensions weighed on markets. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 15 cents, or 0.2 percent, at $68.84 a barrel. WTI fell 1.3 percent on Friday. Brent crude futures fell 5 cents to $74.24 a barrel, after notching up a 1.7 percent weekly increase last week, the first gain in four weeks.

 

In US Equity Markets major indexes fell on Friday as weak earnings reports from major technology companies led to a big drop for the sector. Intel Corp shares fell 8.6 percent after the chip-maker’s data center business missed estimates amid stiff rivalry from Advanced Micro Devices Inc. AMD shares rose 3.2 percent. The S&P 500 lost 0.66 percent, to 2,818.82 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.46 percent, to 7,737.42. Twitter Inc shares declined 20.5 percent after the social media network reported a decline in monthly active users.

 

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields retreated from six-week highs on Friday after data showed the U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace in nearly four years, but came in below high expectations for the number. Benchmark 10-year notes gained 4/32 in price to yield 2.962 percent, down from a high of 2.988 percent reached in overnight trading, which was the highest since June 13.

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