SINGAPORE — Shares in Japan were set for a mixed start as investors in Asia-Pacific await the release of a private survey of China’s manufacturing activity.
Futures pointed to a mixed open for Japanese stocks, with the Nikkei futures contract in Chicago at 26,490 while its counterpart in Osaka was at 26,390. That compared against the Nikkei 225’s last close at 26,433.62.
Shares in Australia edged higher in early trade, as the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.2%.
The Caixin/Markit manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index for November is expected to be out at around 9:45 a.m. HK/SIN on Tuesday.
On Monday, the official manufacturing PMI for November came in at 52.1, according to the National Bureau of Statistics — the highest reading in more than three years. PMI readings above 50 signify expansion, while those below that level represent contraction.
The Reserve Bank of Australia is also set to announce its interest rate decision at around 11:30 a.m. HK/SIN on Tuesday.
Ahead of that announcement, the Australian dollar was at $0.7345 after declining from levels around $0.74 yesterday.
Currencies
The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, was at 91.992 after an earlier rise from levels around 91.6.
The Japanese yen traded at 104.33 per dollar following a weakening yesterday from levels below 104 against the greenback.
What’s on tap:
- China: Caixin/Markit manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index for November at 9:45 a.m. HK/SIN
- Australia: Reserve Bank of Australia’s interest rate decision at 11:30 a.m. HK/SIN
Source: CNBC