In Asia, futures tipped a slightly lower open for Japanese equities. Nikkei futures traded in Chicago were off 0.20 percent at 19,355 and Osaka futures were down 0.27 percent at 19,340. Both were below the benchmark index’s Monday close of 19,393.13.
Australian SPI futures were 0.73 percent lower at 5,684 compared to the S&P/ASX 200’s previous close of 5,725.853.
Stocks stateside closed mixed on Monday, with a fall in tech and financial stocks capping gains. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 0.13 percent, or 29.24 points, to close at 21,703.75 and the S&P 500 climbed 0.12 percent, or 2.82 points, to end at 2,428.37. The Nasdaq slipped 0.05 percent, or 3.40 points, to close at 6,213.13.
In corporate news, China’s Great Wall Motor established its interest in Fiat Chrysler Automobiles on Monday, Reuters reported. It was not apparent if Great Wall Motor wanted to acquire part or all of Fiat Chrysler, Reuters added.
Traders will also be looking to India’s Infosys after its shares tumbled more than 5 percent on Monday despite the company’s $2 billion share buyback plans announced at the weekend. The move followed Vishal Sikka’s departure from the CEO position at the IT services company.
On the energy front, oil prices tumbled 2 percent after rallying at the end of last week. Global benchmark Brent crude fell 2 percent to settle at $51.66 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude slumped 2.4 percent to settle at $47.37.
Here’s the economic calendar for today (all times in HK/SIN):
- 4:00 p.m.: Taiwan July jobless rate
- 4:30 p.m.: Hong Kong July CPI
- 5:00 p.m.: Bank Indonesia decision