In Asia, futures tipped a lower open for Japanese equities. Nikkei futures traded in Chicago were down 1.44 percent at 19,445 and Osaka futures were 1.92 percent lower at 19,350. Both were below the Nikkei 225’s close of 19,729.74 last Thursday — Japan markets had been closed Friday for a public holiday.
Australian SPI futures were 0.97 percent lower at 5,638 compared to the index’s previous close of 5,693.14.
Thailand markets were closed for a public holiday.
In the U.S., stocks closed slightly higher in the Friday session after being rattled earlier in the week by U.S.-North Korea tensions. The Dow Jones industrial average edged higher by 0.07 percent, or 14.31 points, to close at 21,858.32, the S&P 500 climbed 0.13 percent, or 3.11 points, to end at 2,441.32 and the Nasdaq rose 0.64 percent, or 39.68 points, to finish at 6,256.56.
In corporate news, Commonwealth Bank of Australia CEO and Managing Director Ian Narev is expected to retire by the end of the 2018 financial year, the bank said on Monday. CBA has recently been dogged by allegations that it potentially ignored breaches in money-laundering regulations in Australia.
Oil prices made gains on Friday as markets digested a mix of slowing U.S. oil rig additions and instability in Nigeria after protesters occupied a Royal Dutch Shell plant, Reuters reported. Brent crude added 0.39 percent to settle at $52.10 a barrel and U.S. crude was 0.47 percent higher at $48.82.
Ahead, investors will focus on a barrage of China data due during trading day (all times HK/SIN):
- 7:50 a.m.: Japan second-quarter GDP
- 10:00 a.m.: China July industrial output, retail sales, fixed asset investment
- 8:00 p.m.: India July inflation rate
