Asian stocks drifted and precious metals tumbled Monday as traders weighed Friday’s strong employment data that fueled expectations the Federal Reserve will move closer to pulling back stimulus.
Shares fluctuated in Hong Kong and China, and were little changed in South Korea. U.S. futures declined. Japanese markets are closed for a holiday.
India’s SGX Nifty 50 Index futures for Aug. delivery fell 0.2% to 16,240.00, while MSCI Asia Pacific Index little changed. The NSE Nifty 50 Index fell 0.4% Friday to 16,238.20.
Gold slumped to the lowest since March as the prospect of higher rates makes bullion less attractive relative to other assets. Silver dropped to its lowest since November.
Crude oil extended last week’s decline -- its worst since October -- on concern the delta virus strain will hamper demand growth. Commodity currencies like the Australian dollar underperformed.
The dollar edged higher. On Friday, data showed U.S. job growth accelerated in July by the most in almost a year and the unemployment rate declined, illustrating momentum in a labor market grappling with hiring challenges.
The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield climbed to about 1.3% Friday. Cash Treasuries won’t trade in Asia because of the holiday in Tokyo. Chinese bond yields gained after inflation data came in above expectations.
Elsewhere, Bitcoin traded near $43,000 after hitting the highest since May over the weekend.
Back home, Bank of Baroda, Zee, DCB Bank, Divi’s Lab, Ujjivan Small, Tata Power, SAIL, Bharat Electronics may react as the companies reported quarterly results after the market closed Friday. Shree Cement, MRF, Indian Hotels, Gujarat Petronet are among the companies scheduled to report earnings Monday. Hindustan Zinc, Shree Cement, Astrazeneca India are holding their annual shareholders’ meetings.
Rolex Rings to debut after IPO. Foreign investors sold net Rs 543 crore of stocks on Aug. 5, according to NSDL website.