Tokyo — Asian shares were on the defensive on the concern about North Korea but the expectation that Beijing will maintain support for its economy ahead of a key congress supported Chinese stocks and copper prices. MSCI’s dollar-denominated index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.1% thanks to gains in Chinese shares, although many markets were in the red. Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.5% while S&P500 mini futures maintained losses incurred on Monday following Pyongyang’s nuclear test at the weekend. They last stood at 2,466, 0.3% below their close on Friday. US cash equity markets were closed on Monday for a holiday. The escalating geopolitical tension kept many investors on edge. The White House declared on Monday that "all options to address the North Korean threat are on the table" while US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley urged the 15-member UN Security Council to impose the "strongest possible" sanctions to deter Pyongyang. "It’s not clear whether diplomacy can solve this p...
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