World shares muted as investors await raft of economic data
By KELVIN CHAN, Associated Press
May 29, 2017 10:53 AM CDT
People walk past an electronic board showing Hong Kong share index outside a local bank in Hong Kong, Monday, May 29, 2017. Stock markets in Asia were subdued in holiday-thinned trading Monday as investors hunkered down ahead of a raft of economic data later this week that will provide fresh insight...   (Associated Press)

HONG KONG (AP) — World stock markets were listless Monday as investors look to a raft of economic data this week and as holidays in several key markets crimped trading volume.

KEEPING SCORE: In Europe, France's CAC 40 dipped 0.1 percent to close at 5,332.47, while Germany's DAX edged up 0.2 percent to 12,628.95. Markets in Britain and the United states were closed for holidays.

GLOBAL OUTLOOK: A full slate of economic reports this week will give investors plenty to digest, beginning with eurozone business and consumer confidence readings on Tuesday. China's latest official factory and service industry purchasing managers' indexes, out Wednesday, will be among the most watched, with analysts looking to see if the gauge indicates that manufacturing growth momentum slows further. The ISM index for U.S. manufacturing is due a day later. U.S. private and official payroll numbers are also scheduled for release. They'll give fresh clues on employment and hiring in the world's No. 1 economy and could bolster Fed policymakers' reasoning as they prepare to gradually raise interest rates again.

MARKET TALK: "Muted market action on Friday night, holidays in the U.K. and U.S. tonight and a data deluge starting tomorrow all militate against major market moves," said Michael McCarthy, chief strategist at CMC Markets. "Investors and trader may hold out for important reads on the world's largest economies this week."

ASIA'S DAY: Stock indexes in the region drifted between losses and gains. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index ended a fraction lower at 19,682.57, and South Korea's Kospi dipped 0.1 percent to 2,352.97. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.2 percent to 25,701.63, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.8 percent to 5,707.10. Markets in mainland China and Taiwan were closed for holidays.

ENERGY: Oil futures extended a recovery from sharp losses last week. Benchmark U.S. crude rose 44 cents to $50.24 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 90 cents on Friday. Brent crude, the international standard, gained 40 cents to $52.55 a barrel in London.

CURRENCIES: The dollar edged down to 111.28 yen from 111.32. The euro dipped to $1.1181 from $1.1185.

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