Sydney — Asian shares crept ahead on Thursday as a lull in the China-US trade tussle and talk of more Chinese stimulus helped calm nerves. In the oil market, however, tension rose ahead of a meeting of the Opec cartel that could expand the supply of crude. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 0.4%, while Japan’s Nikkei added 0.7%. Australia’s main index had another strong day, rising 1% on fund manager demand before the end of the local financial year next week. Futures for the S&P 500 added 0.4% as investors waited for new developments on global trade. After a hesitant start, Chinese markets moved into positive territory as Shanghai blue chips rose 0.6%. The mere absence of new threats from US President Donald Trump on tariffs was enough to stem recent selling, with investors clinging to the hope that all the bluster was a ploy, and would stop short of an outright trade war. "Many participants see the Trump administration’s hard line as part of the nego...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.