Stock market today: World stocks higher ahead of US and Japan rate decisions
Asian stocks have advanced and European markets started the day with gains ahead of policy decisions this week by Japan’s central bank and the Federal Reserve
HONG KONG — Asian stocks advanced and European markets started Monday with modest gains ahead of policy decisions this week by Japan’s central bank and the Federal Reserve.
Germany’s DAX added 0.1% to 17,959.35 and the FTSE 100 in London edged 0.1% higher to 7,731.73. In Paris, the CAC 40 slipped 0.1% at 8,154.37.
The future for the S&P 500 was 0.4% higher, while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average was nearly unchanged.
Chinese data for January-February were mixed, with property investment falling while other indicators showed improvement.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index jumped 2.7% to 39,740.44. Markets are awaiting a decision by the Bank of Japan on Tuesday on whether to raise its benchmark interest rate for the first time in 17 years. Since 2016, the rate has remained at minus 0.1%.
Signs that employers plan solid wage hikes appear to have swayed the central bank toward finally easing away from the massive monetary easing employed over many years to try to spur growth in a country where the population is quickly falling and aging.
Nissan Motor Co.'s shares jumped 4.1% and Honda Motor Co.'s shares were up 2.7% after the two automakers agreed on a strategic partnership in electric vehicles.
The Hang Seng in Hong Kong edged 0.1% higher to 16,737.12, and the Shanghai Composite index gained 1% to 3,084.93.
Shares in Dongfeng Motor Group surged 17% after reports that China plans new policies to further boost its fast-growing EV sector.
Elsewhere, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.1% higher to 7,675.80, and the Kospi in South Korea advanced 0.7%, to
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