European Economic News Preview: Germany Flash Inflation Data Due

The Malaysia stock market has moved higher in three straight sessions, gathering more than 20 points or 1.4 percent in that span. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index now sits just beneath the 1,600-point plateau and it's tipped to open in the green again on Tuesday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is upbeat on renewed optimism over the outlook for interest rates. The European and U.S. markets were firmly higher and the Asian markets are predicted to open in similar fashion. The KLCI finished modestly higher on Monday following gains from the financial shares and mixed performances from the plantations and telecoms. For the day, the index added 7.80 points or 0.49 percent to finish at 1,597.39 after trading between 1,591.17 and 1,598.26. Among the actives, Axiata skidded 1.04 percent, while Celcomdigi and Tenaga Nasional both added 0.49 percent, CIMB Group jumped 1.50 percent, Genting fell 0.22 percent, Genting Malaysia sank 0.38 percent, IHH Healthcare was up 0.16 percent, IOI Corporation retreated 1.47 percent, Kuala Lumpur Kepong dipped 0.17 percent, Maxis shed 0.28 percent, Maybank collected 0.31 percent, MISC eased 0.12 percent, MRDIY rallied 1.19 percent, PPB Group lost 0.25 percent, Press Metal perked 0.19 percent, Public Bank spiked 1.94 percent, QL Resources advanced 0.61 percent, RHB Capital climbed 0.74 percent, Sime Darby tumbled 1.74 percent, Sime Darby Plantations gained 0.23 percent, Telekom Malaysia slid 0.16 percent, YTL Corporation soared 2.45 percent, YTL Power surged 2.51 percent and Petronas Chemicals, Hong Leong Bank and AMMB Holdings were unchanged.

Ahead of Monday's holiday for Children's Day, the South Korea stock market had ended lower in two straight sessions, slipping more than 15 points or 0.6 percent in that span. The KOSPI now sits just above the 2,675-point plateau although it figures to stop the bleeding on Tuesday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is upbeat on renewed optimism over the outlook for interest rates. The European and U.S. markets were firmly higher and the Asian markets are predicted to open in similar fashion. The KOSPI finished slightly lower on Friday as losses from the technology stocks and automobile companies were mitigated by support from the financial sector. For the day, the index lost 7.02 points or 0.26 percent to finish at the daily low of at 2,676.63 after peaking at 2,705.26. Volume was 329.8 million shares worth 7.7 trillion won. There were 477 decliners and 390 gainers. Among the actives, Shinhan Financial rallied 1.42 percent, while KB Financial jumped 1.94 percent, Hana Financial collected 1.75 percent, Samsung Electronics shed 0.51 percent, Samsung SDI retreated 1.24 percent, LG Electronics advanced 0.98 percent, SK Hynix fell 0.23 percent, Naver soared 3.07 percent, LG Chem was down 0.37 percent, Lotte Chemical strengthened 1.59 percent, S-Oil rose 0.29 percent, SK Innovation added 0.55 percent, POSCO climbed 1.13 percent, SK Telecom slid 0.39 percent, KEPCO lost 0.47 percent, Hyundai Motor plunged 3.21 percent, Kia Motors plummeted 4.77 percent and Hyundai Mobis was unchanged.

The Canadian market ended sharply higher on Monday, extending gains to a third straight session, thanks to firm commodity prices and rising optimism about interest rate cuts by several central banks, including the Federal Reserve and the Bank of India, by the later part of the second quarter, or early third quarter.

The Reserve Bank of Australia will wrap up its monetary policy meeting and then announce its decision on interest rates, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. The RBA is widely expected to keep its benchmark lending rate unchanged at 4.35 percent.

The U.S. dollar shed ground against its major counterparts on Monday with investors growing increasingly confident about a rate cut in the coming months.

The Canadian market is up firmly in positive territory Monday afternoon with stocks from several sectors posting strong gains thanks to sustained buying support amid rising hopes of interest rate cuts by several central banks, including the Fed, European Central Bank and the Bank of Canada.

The Switzerland market ended on a firm note on Monday, moving higher for a second straight session, on optimism several central banks, including the Federal Reserve and the ECB will soon start reducing interest rates.

European stocks closed on a bright note on Monday, lifted by optimism about interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank in the foreseeable future, and data showing improvement in Eurozone investor confidence and an acceleration in private sector growth.