Australian shares edged higher as did futures for the Hong Kong equity benchmark. Japanese stocks declined, with trading in the region likely to be muted by holidays in countries including Singapore.
Benchmark equity indexes advanced in Japan while futures in Hong Kong pointed to gains. Futures for US stocks edged higher after both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indexes climbed more than 1% on Friday. China’s financial markets reopen after a two-day holiday.
Benchmarks for Japanese equities traded flat at the open while other markets including Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia were shut. The S&P 500 notched an eight-week winning streak on Friday the longest in more than five years on signs price pressures in the US were easing. Contracts for US stocks and Treasuries were also little changed in Asia trading.
Stocks rose at the open in South Korea and Australia, while holding on to small gains in Japan. Futures for Hong Kong equities were little changed, while those for the US steadied after the S&P 500 Index eked out a gain Friday to notch its best week since June.
Shares declined in Australia while those for Japan edged higher. The Hong Kong stock market is shut as the city is bracing for a hit from what may be the strongest storm in at least five years. Futures for the S&P 500 were little changed after the index closed lower on Thursday to notch its first monthly slide since February.