Overview

• Asian markets closed mostly higher, with the Kospi up 1.33%, Hang Seng up 1.89%, Shanghai up 0.90%, and Shenzhen up 1.52%, while Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.69%.
• European shares finished higher as technology and health stocks led gains, lifting the Stoxx 600 by 0.34% with support from GSK’s leadership change and AstraZeneca’s plan to list on the NYSE.
• U.S. equities opened in positive territory, with the Dow up 0.12%, the S&P 500 up 0.38%, and the Nasdaq up 0.65%, as technology outperformed and energy lagged.
• Traders are focused on scheduled comments from Federal Reserve officials today and key U.S. labor readings this week, including Friday’s payrolls report.
• Risk appetite improved after Friday’s in-line U.S. inflation data bolstered expectations for further Fed cuts this year, while a potential U.S. government shutdown remains a near-term hazard.