The MSCI global share index hovered near record highs and Asian shares rose on Wednesday after strong consumer confidence lifted U.S. shares, but investor caution ahead of U.S. jobs data and around rising virus cases capped gains.
European shares were set for a lower open. Pan-region Euro Stoxx 50 futures fell 0.24%, German DAX futures were down 0.17% and France’s CAC 40 futures slipped 0.13%. FTSE futures lost 0.19%.
MSCI’s global share index was flat set for a fifth straight month of gains a day after hitting an all-time high. MSCI’S index tracking Asian shares outside Japan was set for a small monthly loss, but still on course for a fifth straight quarterly rise, its longest such streak since 2006-2007.
The Asian index was last up 0.13% on the day.
Chinese blue-chips added 0.51%, Australian shares were up 0.16% and set for a ninth straight month of gains, and Seoul’s Kospi rose 0.38%. Japan’s Nikkei turned down from earlier gains to fall 0.07%.
Still, Steven Daghlian, market analyst at CommSec in Sydney, said that following the global run-up in equities, markets were “on edge” ahead of the release of U.S. non-farm payrolls data on Friday, the results of which could influence Federal Reserve policy.
