Asian stock markets moved higher on Tuesday after gains on Wall Street improved sentiment across the region. Oil prices stayed near a three-week low, while bond and currency markets continued to reflect uncertainty over US interest rates.
The MSCI index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.1%. South Korean stocks led the advance, climbing as much as 2.1%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.3%, showing that the positive tone was not uniform across all major markets.
US equity futures also pointed slightly higher. S&P 500 futures gained 0.1% after the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a record level. The rise followed stronger US manufacturing data, with activity reaching its highest level in more than four years.
The manufacturing figures supported confidence in the US economy. Stronger activity can help corporate earnings and global demand, which is positive for export-focused Asian companies.
Fidelity Asian Values Plc (LON:FAS) provides shareholders with a differentiated equity exposure to Asian Markets. Asia is the world’s fastest-growing economic region and the trust looks to capitalise on this by finding good businesses, run by good people and buying them at a good price.
