Asia
Wall Street’s positive close on Friday set the tone for a stronger start to the trading week in Asia-Pacific markets. Japan’s Nikkei and China’s CSI 300 were the top performing indices in percentage terms. Japanese carmaker shares were among the top performers on Monday, while Chinese and Hong Kong equities reacted positively to news that China may scrap term limits for presidents – a move that is likely to extend the rule of Xi Jinping. Still, the Nikkei is off 2,000 points from the start of the year at just over 22,000 and China’s CSI 300 is around 10% lower.
China’s manufacturing figures are released on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
Europe
Shares in Europe caught the positive global mood ahead of a speech by European Central Bank president Mario Draghi to the European Parliament. Germany’s Dax and France’s CAC 40 were the leaders, but gains were still relatively modest.
The FTSE 100 was also higher but held back by gains in the pound after the Bank of England Deputy Governor warned of faster-than-expected interest rate rises this year.
Increasing risk appetite after February’s market volatility spurred enthusiasm for mining shares. Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF) was higher after a positive trading update, although the company said clothing sales had been affected by warmer autumn weather.
In the FTSE 250, under-fire doorstep lender Provident Financial Group (PFG) was the biggest faller, shedding over 10% on media reports of a possible rights issue and the departure of the finance chief of its consumer credit division.
North America
Corporate America continues to report earnings this week, and in Canada the bank reporting season starts on Tuesday with results from Bank of Montreal (BMO) and Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS).
US home sales are in view for January just after the market opens. On Tuesday the release of durable goods orders for the same month will be closely watch. New Federal Reserve chair will testify before the House of Representatives’ Financial Services Committee. Later in the week the second estimate for US gross domestic product will be released. Economic growth figures for Canada for Q4 and 2017 will also be unveiled.