WELLINGTON, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Asian stocks should gain on
Wednesday, as a swing towards the Republicans in U.S. elections
cheered Wall Street.
But a holiday in Japan, and some nervousness ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision on further monetary stimulus, could leave many investors on the sidelines for now.
The main U.S. indexes rose between 0.6 percent and 1.1 percent, as signs of a big Republican win in mid-term elections fuelled expectations of a more business-friendly environment.
Most polls show Republicans regaining control of the House of Representatives, while President Barack Obama's Democrats could retain a narrow Senate majority.
Energy stocks gained 1.1 percent as the Republicans were seen curbing regulations on the oil sector.
Attention now moves to the Federal Reserve meeting, with the policy announcement due later on Wednesday. It is expected to contain a programme of asset purchases of at least $500 billion. For a special report, see http://link.reuters.com/pyb23q
Asian stocks listed on Wall Street rose 0.79 percent.
British shares added 1.1 percent while European shares gained 0.6 percent, with energy stocks gaining after strong results from BG Group and BP
The U.S. dollar fell as the Australian dollar rallied to parity on a surprise rate hike, as traders generally shunned the greenback ahead of the Fed announcement.
Japanese markets are shut on Wednesday for the Culture Day holiday.
Australian shares are seen slightly higher, with share index futures up 13 points at 4,714 points, a 12.6 point premium to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index.
Westpac Banking Corp, Australia's third-largest lender, reported a 26 percent rise in second half cash earnings, meeting market forecasts.
HEADLINES: > Republicans poised for big gains in U.S. elections > Fed set to launch fresh round of bond purchases > Wall St gains as big Republican win seen > China high on agenda for Obama's Asia tour-aide > Reuters Summit-Brokerage bosses brace for gridlock > US charges French doctor in hedge fund sell-off > Canada insists no decision yet on BHP's Potash bid > BP ups spill cost to $40bn, profits beat forecast > Warm weather, fewer events to hurt Oct. sales > Pfizer sales lag, hurt by generic Lipitor, Effexor > Bombs kill dozens as Iraqi Christians mourn > Yemen hunts bomb suspect, oil pipeline attacked
KEY INDEXES pct change
Bank of New York Asia ADR index +0.79
Dow Jones Industrial Average +0.58
Nasdaq Composite Index +1.14
TOP ASIA EVENTS:
For more Asian company earnings, see ASIA/EQTY
JAPAN - National holiday - Culture day
AUSTRALIA - Westpac full year results
- CSR Ltd H1 results
HONG KONG - HSBC Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for October
INDIA - Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd results
(Reporting by Adrian Bathgate)
((adrian.bathgate@reuters.com; +64-4-4714233; Reuters Messaging: adrian.bathgate.reuters.com@reuters.net)) For top Asian company news, double click on: U.S. company news European company news U.S. weekly outlook European weekly outlook Forex news Global Economy news Tech/Telecoms/Media Banking news Political/General news Asia Macro data ASIA STOCK MARKETS: Pan-Asia........ Japan....... S.Korea... S.E. Asia....... Hong Kong... Taiwan.... Australia/NZ.... India....... China..... DIARIES & DATA: IPO diary/data Asia earnings diary U.S. earnings diary European diary Hong Kong diary Wall Street Week Ahead Eurostocks Week Ahead LIVE PRICES & DATA: World Stocks Asian Stocks Dow Jones/NASDAQ / Nikkei FTSE 100 Debt Currency rates Keywords: MARKETS ASIA/ (If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
But a holiday in Japan, and some nervousness ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision on further monetary stimulus, could leave many investors on the sidelines for now.
The main U.S. indexes rose between 0.6 percent and 1.1 percent, as signs of a big Republican win in mid-term elections fuelled expectations of a more business-friendly environment.
Most polls show Republicans regaining control of the House of Representatives, while President Barack Obama's Democrats could retain a narrow Senate majority.
Energy stocks gained 1.1 percent as the Republicans were seen curbing regulations on the oil sector.
Attention now moves to the Federal Reserve meeting, with the policy announcement due later on Wednesday. It is expected to contain a programme of asset purchases of at least $500 billion. For a special report, see http://link.reuters.com/pyb23q
Asian stocks listed on Wall Street rose 0.79 percent.
British shares added 1.1 percent while European shares gained 0.6 percent, with energy stocks gaining after strong results from BG Group and BP
The U.S. dollar fell as the Australian dollar rallied to parity on a surprise rate hike, as traders generally shunned the greenback ahead of the Fed announcement.
Japanese markets are shut on Wednesday for the Culture Day holiday.
Australian shares are seen slightly higher, with share index futures up 13 points at 4,714 points, a 12.6 point premium to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index.
Westpac Banking Corp, Australia's third-largest lender, reported a 26 percent rise in second half cash earnings, meeting market forecasts.
HEADLINES: > Republicans poised for big gains in U.S. elections > Fed set to launch fresh round of bond purchases > Wall St gains as big Republican win seen > China high on agenda for Obama's Asia tour-aide > Reuters Summit-Brokerage bosses brace for gridlock > US charges French doctor in hedge fund sell-off > Canada insists no decision yet on BHP's Potash bid > BP ups spill cost to $40bn, profits beat forecast > Warm weather, fewer events to hurt Oct. sales > Pfizer sales lag, hurt by generic Lipitor, Effexor > Bombs kill dozens as Iraqi Christians mourn > Yemen hunts bomb suspect, oil pipeline attacked
KEY INDEXES pct change
Bank of New York Asia ADR index +0.79
Dow Jones Industrial Average +0.58
Nasdaq Composite Index +1.14
TOP ASIA EVENTS:
For more Asian company earnings, see ASIA/EQTY
JAPAN - National holiday - Culture day
AUSTRALIA - Westpac full year results
- CSR Ltd H1 results
HONG KONG - HSBC Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for October
INDIA - Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd results
(Reporting by Adrian Bathgate)
((adrian.bathgate@reuters.com; +64-4-4714233; Reuters Messaging: adrian.bathgate.reuters.com@reuters.net)) For top Asian company news, double click on: U.S. company news European company news U.S. weekly outlook European weekly outlook Forex news Global Economy news Tech/Telecoms/Media Banking news Political/General news Asia Macro data ASIA STOCK MARKETS: Pan-Asia........ Japan....... S.Korea... S.E. Asia....... Hong Kong... Taiwan.... Australia/NZ.... India....... China..... DIARIES & DATA: IPO diary/data Asia earnings diary U.S. earnings diary European diary Hong Kong diary Wall Street Week Ahead Eurostocks Week Ahead LIVE PRICES & DATA: World Stocks Asian Stocks Dow Jones/NASDAQ / Nikkei FTSE 100 Debt Currency rates Keywords: MARKETS ASIA/ (If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.