Singapore — Asian equities advanced on Tuesday as the return of risk appetite following a centrist victory in the first round of the French presidential election lifted several regional markets to multiyear highs, while the euro retained most of its overnight gains. Safe-haven assets, including the yen and gold remained under pressure, while the Canadian dollar fell after the US announced new duties averaging 20% on Canadian softwood lumber imports. The Canadian currency tumbled to a four-month low as the US dollar strengthened 0.4% to C$1.3554. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.35% to its highest level in more than three weeks, marking four consecutive days of gains. "Asian markets appear to be still lingering in the glow of relief after the French election," said Jingyi Pan, market strategist at IG in Singapore. "The jubilance in markets overnight has also added to the optimism." US President Donald Trump’s promise of an announcement on a tax reform...
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