Back in Asia, Nikkei futures traded in Chicago were 0.12 percent higher at 19,800 and Osaka futures were 0.24 percent off at 19,730 at 6:15 a.m. HK/SIN. Those compared to the Nikkei 225’s previous close of 19,776.62.
Down Under, SPI futures were up 0.4 percent at 5,770 compared to the S&P/ASX 200’s Tuesday close of 5,746.441.
In currencies, the pound firmed after U.K. August inflation rose 2.9 percent compared to one year ago, a tad higher than the 2.8 percent forecast by economists in a Reuters poll. The release of inflation data came ahead of the Bank of England’s interest rate decision on Thursday in the U.K.
Sterling traded at $1.3287 at 6:38 a.m. HK/SIN after strengthening as high as $1.3294 during the overnight session.
Apple suppliers, such as Hon Hai Precision Industry and Largan Precision, are expected to be in focus during the session after Apple unveiled its newest iPhone model — the iPhone X — at a product launch on Tuesday. Apple stock closed 0.4 percent lower.
On the energy front, oil prices rose in the previous session. U.S. crude rose 0.3 percent to settle at $48.23 a barrel and Brent crude gained 0.8 percent to settle at $54.27 a barrel. The moves higher followed an OPEC report that said oil demand would pick up in 2018, Reuters said.
Here’s Asia’s economic calendar for Wednesday (all times in HK/SIN):
- 8:30 a.m.: Australia Westpac consumer confidence index
- 10:00 a.m.: China August FDI