Swiss Market Ends Weak

The Singapore stock market has moved higher in three straight sessions, gathering more than 20 points or 0.4 percent along the way. The Straits Times Index now sits just shy of the 4,310-point plateau and it's tipped to open in the green again on Tuesday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is upbeat on optimism over the outlook for interest rates. The European and U.S. markets were modestly higher and the Asian bourses are expected to follow that lead. The STI finished barely higher on Monday following mixed performances from the financial shares, property stocks and industrial issues. For the day, the index perked 1.44 points or 0.03 percent to finish at 4,308.52 after trading between 4,296.13 and 4,319.06. Among the actives, CapitaLand Ascendas REIT and Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust both strengthened 1.08 percent, while CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust rallied 1.33 percent, CapitaLand Investment added 0.72 percent, City Developments advanced 1.05 percent, Comfort DelGro jumped 1.36 percent, DBS Group collected 0.08 percent, DFI Retail Group sank 0.60 percent, Hongkong Land dropped 0.94 percent, Keppel DC REIT increased 0.86 percent, Keppel Ltd was up 0.12 percent, Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust accelerated 1.44 percent, Mapletree Industrial Trust improved 0.96 percent, Mapletree Logistics Trust spiked 1.63 percent, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation eased 0.18 percent, SATS gained 0.61 percent, Seatrium Limited lost 0.42 percent, SembCorp Industries rose 0.49 percent, Singapore Technologies Engineering perked 0.25 percent, SingTel tumbled 1.37 percent, Thai Beverage climbed 1.06 percent, United Overseas Bank shed 0.53 percent, UOL Group gathered 0.27 percent, Wilmar International fell 0.34 percent, Yangzijiang Financial surged 3.81 percent, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding soared 2.26 percent and Genting Singapore was unchanged.

The Malaysia stock market bounced higher again on Monday, one session after ending the two-day winning streak in which it had gathered just 3 points or 0.2 percent. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index now sits just above the 1,585-point plateau and it may see additional support on Tuesday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is upbeat on optimism over the outlook for interest rates. The European and U.S. markets were modestly higher and the Asian bourses are expected to follow that lead. The KLCI finished modestly higher on Monday following gains from the financial shares, plantation stocks and industrials. For the day, the index added 7.44 points or 0.47 percent to finish at 1,585.59 after trading between 1,579.57 and 1,587.16. Among the actives, Axiata jumped 1.65 percent, while Celcomdigi slumped 1.08 percent, CIMB Group lost 0.41 percent, Gamuda added 0.54 percent, IHH Healthcare gathered 0.14 percent, Kuala Lumpur Kepong gained 0.40 percent, Maxis rose 0.28 percent, Maybank and Hong Leong Bank both were up 0.10 percent, MISC perked 0.13 percent, MRDIY tumbled 3.16 percent, Nestle Malaysia increased 0.82 percent, Petronas Chemicals surged 5.00 percent, Petronas Dagangan strengthened 1.56 percent, Petronas Gas dropped 0.86 percent, PPB Group soared 3.12 percent, Press Metal shed 0.54 percent, Public Bank collected 0.23 percent, QL Resources fell 0.24 percent, RHB Bank climbed 1.23 percent, Sime Darby accelerated 2.46 percent, SD Guthrie advanced 1.19 percent, Telekom Malaysia sank 0.71 percent, Tenaga Nasional rallied 1.99 percent, YTL Corporation improved 1.20 percent, YTL Power spiked 2.72 percent and 99 Speed Mart Retail, AMMB Holdings, IOI Corporation and Sunway were unchanged.

The Japanese stock market has moved higher in three straight sessions, advancing more than 1,700 points or 3.9 percent in that span. The Nikkei 225 now sits just beneath the 43,650-point plateau and it may add to its winnings on Tuesday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is upbeat on optimism over the outlook for interest rates. The European and U.S. markets were modestly higher and the Asian bourses are expected to follow that lead. The Nikkei finished sharply higher on Monday following gains from the financial shares, technology stocks and automobile producers. For the day, the index jumped 625.06 points or 1.45 percent to finish at 43,643.81 after trading between 43,343.58 and 43,838.60. Among the actives, Nissan Motor accelerated 2.38 percent, while Mazda Motor surged 7.15 percent, Toyota Motor rose 0.25 percent, Honda Motor perked 0.06 percent, Softbank Group jumped 2.09 percent, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial collected 0.75 percent, Mizuho Financial added 0.66 percent, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial was up 0.15 percent, Mitsubishi Electric gained 0.05 percent, Sony Group rallied 2.25 percent, Panasonic Holdings increased 0.13 percent and Hitachi advanced 0.90 percent. The lead from Wall Street is cautiously optimistic as the major averages opened mixed on Monday but all finished with modest gains.

The South Korea stock market has moved higher in five straight sessions, collecting more than 75 points or 2.4 percent along the way. The KOSPI now rests just beneath the 3,220-point plateau and it may tick higher again on Tuesday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is upbeat on optimism over the outlook for interest rates. The European and U.S. markets were modestly higher and the Asian bourses are expected to follow that lead. The KOSPI finished modestly higher on Monday following mixed performances from the financial shares, technology stocks, industrial issues and chemicals. For the day, the index added 14.47 points or 0.45 percent to finish at 3,219.59 after trading between 3,206.34 and 3,221.14. Volume was 366.37 worth 8.15 trillion won. There were 542 gainers and 324 decliners. Among the actives, Shinhan Financial fell 0.31 percent, while KB Financial tumbled 1.75 percent, Hana Financial collected 0.37 percent, Samsung Electronics improved 0.86 percent, Samsung SDI rallied 1.41 percent, LG Electronics lost 0.54 percent, SK Hynix strengthened 1.26 percent, Naver slipped 0.44 percent, Lotte Chemical sank 0.63 percent, SK Innovation added 0.38 percent, POSCO Holdings climbed 1.08 percent, SK Telecom slumped 1.28 percent, KEPCO spiked 2.31 percent, Hyundai Motor shed 0.68 percent, Kia Motors retreated 1.59 percent and LG Chem and Hyundai Mobis were unchanged.

Taiwan will on Tuesday release August figures for imports, exports and trade balance, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

The U.S. dollar declined against its major counterparts in the New York session on Monday.

European stocks closed higher on Monday, thanks to encouraging German economic data, and optimism about an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve next week. Concerns about political uncertainty in France weighed and limited markets' upside.

The Canadian market, which retreated after a slightly positive start Monday morning, remains in negative territory a little past noon, with stocks from communications, consumer staples and industrials sectors under selling pressure. Materials stocks are faring well, limiting market's downside.