WELLINGTON, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Asian stocks will likely
shuffle sideways in quiet trade on Friday, as global markets
nudged higher on growing confidence in global economic prospects
but many investors stayed away due to the U.S Thanksgiving
holiday.
World stocks as measured by MSCI were up slightly, as investors digested the U.S. data this week which has pointed to a more positive outlook on jobs and consumer spending.
European gains could provide some support, with British shares up 0.7 percent and the pan-European index rising 0.5 percent as the heavyweight mining and banking sectors advanced in thin trade.
Japanese markets could make a flat start, with the closing level Nikkei futures traded in Osaka little changed from the underlying index.
Australian shares are also seen struggling to make headway, despite firmer metal prices, with share index futures down 4 points to 4,591, a 2.4 point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index.
Investors will keep a wary eye on the Korean peninsula where tensions remain high after Tuesday's exchange of shell fire, with South Korea's defence minister quitting after being criticised for its reaction to the attack.
The euro remained soft as euro zone leaders dismissed speculation that Ireland's debt crisis was posing a threat to the single currency's future, with liquidity in the currency markets low due to the U.S. holiday.
HEADLINES: > If it's Thanksgiving, it must be time to shop > Stocks inch upward as US holiday thins trade > Irish government confident budget will pass > No risk of euro zone breakup in Irish crisis-EU > KKR-led group to buy Del Monte for $4 bln > BoE's Posen accuses King of being too political > South Korea defense minister quits after attack > UK retailers predict bright Christmas season > Qatar Air slams Boeing, may buy more Airbus > Computerized trades in EU face tougher rules > China ready for rare earths dialogue-diplomats > New India corruption scandal deals blow to image
KEY INDEXES pct change
FTSE 100 index +0.74
FTSEurofirst 300 +0.47
Nikkei 10,080
Nikkei futures in Osaka 10,080
TOP ASIA EVENTS:
For more Asian company earnings, see ASIA/EQTY
JAPAN - Cabinet meeting followed by Finance Minister
Yoshihiko Noda news conference
- Monthly aluminium shipments data
AUSTRALIA - RBA Governor Stevens testifies to parliament
HONG KONG - China Modern Dairy Holdings Ltd
trading debut
- Huabao International Holdings Ltd
H1 results
- Mongolia Energy Corporation Ltd
H1 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.
World stocks as measured by MSCI were up slightly, as investors digested the U.S. data this week which has pointed to a more positive outlook on jobs and consumer spending.
European gains could provide some support, with British shares up 0.7 percent and the pan-European index rising 0.5 percent as the heavyweight mining and banking sectors advanced in thin trade.
Japanese markets could make a flat start, with the closing level Nikkei futures traded in Osaka little changed from the underlying index.
Australian shares are also seen struggling to make headway, despite firmer metal prices, with share index futures down 4 points to 4,591, a 2.4 point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index.
Investors will keep a wary eye on the Korean peninsula where tensions remain high after Tuesday's exchange of shell fire, with South Korea's defence minister quitting after being criticised for its reaction to the attack.
The euro remained soft as euro zone leaders dismissed speculation that Ireland's debt crisis was posing a threat to the single currency's future, with liquidity in the currency markets low due to the U.S. holiday.
HEADLINES: > If it's Thanksgiving, it must be time to shop > Stocks inch upward as US holiday thins trade > Irish government confident budget will pass > No risk of euro zone breakup in Irish crisis-EU > KKR-led group to buy Del Monte for $4 bln > BoE's Posen accuses King of being too political > South Korea defense minister quits after attack > UK retailers predict bright Christmas season > Qatar Air slams Boeing, may buy more Airbus > Computerized trades in EU face tougher rules > China ready for rare earths dialogue-diplomats > New India corruption scandal deals blow to image
KEY INDEXES pct change
FTSE 100 index +0.74
FTSEurofirst 300 +0.47
Nikkei 10,080
Nikkei futures in Osaka 10,080
TOP ASIA EVENTS:
For more Asian company earnings, see ASIA/EQTY
JAPAN - Cabinet meeting followed by Finance Minister
Yoshihiko Noda news conference
- Monthly aluminium shipments data
AUSTRALIA - RBA Governor Stevens testifies to parliament
HONG KONG - China Modern Dairy Holdings Ltd
trading debut
- Huabao International Holdings Ltd
H1 results
- Mongolia Energy Corporation Ltd
H1 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.