Most Asian Stocks Fall as Investors Await U.S. Payrolls Report

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Most Asian stocks fell as investors weighed corporate earnings before the release of U.S. non-farm payrolls today.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index was little changed at 137.99 as of 9:04 a.m, with two stocks falling for each that rose. The gauge is heading for its second weekly decline after a gauge of Chinese manufacturing increased less than economists projected. While a report yesterday showed jobless claims in the U.S. jumped to a nine-week high, employment data due today is expected to show an improving labor market.

Japans Topix index slipped 0.1 percent. South Korea��s Kospi index rose 0.2 percent as it reopened after a holiday. Australia��s S&P/ASX 200 Index lost 0.1 percent and New Zealand��s NZX 50 Index added 0.1 percent. Markets in mainland China are closed for a holiday, while Hong Kong, which has yet to start trading, reopens after the May Day holiday.

Companies from Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. to Sembcorp Marine Ltd. are due to release results today. Sony Corp., maker of Xperia smartphones and PlayStation consoles yesterday reported an annual loss that was larger than forecast, while Wynn Macau Ltd., controlled by billionaire Steve Wynn, posted first-quarter profit that beat analyst estimates.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index traded at 12.6 times estimated earnings yesterday, compared with 16 for the Standard & Poors 500 Index, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Copy Source: Bloomberg

Japan Topix Retreats From Three-Week High Before U.S. Payrolls

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Japanese shares fell, with the Topix index dropping for the first time in three days, as investors weighed earnings and awaited U.S. employment data.

The Topix lost 0.1 percent to 1,180.69 as of 9:00 a.m. in Tokyo, with about three shares falling for every two that rose. The measure, which climbed yesterday to its highest since April 7, is poised for a 0.9 percent advance this week. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average slipped 0.3 percent today to 14,446.85. Japanese markets are closed for the first two days next week.

Futures on the Standard & Poor 500 Index added less than 0.1 percent after the equity measure closed little changed yesterday. A Labor Department report today may indicate employers added 215,000 workers in April, the most since November, according to economists projections.

Copy Source: Bloomberg

U.S. Stock Are Little Changed After Dow Record Amid Earnings

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U.S. stocks were little changed, after the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose to a record yesterday, amid corporate earnings and data showing an unexpected gain in jobless claims and higher consumer spending.

The Standard & Poor��s 500 Index added less than 0.1 percent to 1,884.33 at 9:30 a.m. in New York. The Dow average rose 8.35 points, or 0.1 percent, to 16,589.19. The 30-stock equity gauge rose 0.3 percent yesterday, topping the previous record it reached on Dec. 31.

The S&P 500 posted a 0.6 percent gain in April for a third monthly advance, as better-than-estimated economic data and corporate results offset escalating tensions between the U.S. and Russia over the latter��s intentions on Ukraine.

The index closed yesterday within seven points of its all-time high from April 2. Its 8.2 percent recovery from a low of 1,741.89 on Feb. 3 has been led by a 14 percent rally in energy stocks and increases of 11 percent each in industries least tied to economic growth: utilities and home-product makers.

Copy Source : Bloomberg

U.S. Stock-Index Futures Little Changed Before Data

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U.S. stock-index futures were little changed, after the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed to a record yesterday, as investors awaited data on jobless claims and manufacturing.

Futures on the Standard & Poor��s 500 Index expiring in June added less than 0.1 percent to 1,879.2 at 10:36 a.m. in London. Dow contracts increased 8 points, less than 0.1 percent, to 16,519. The 30-stock equity gauge rose 0.3 percent yesterday, topping the previous record it reached on Dec. 31.

The Federal Reserve yesterday reduced its monthly asset purchases to $45 billion, its fourth straight $10 billion cut, and said it would continue to trim additional stimulus in measured steps.

Data at 8:30 a.m. in Washington may show first-time claims for unemployment benefits fell to 320,000 in the week to April 26, from 329,000 in the previous period, according to economists polled by Bloomberg. A Labor Department report tomorrow may show employers added 215,000 workers in April, the most since November, according to economists�� projections.

A separate report from the Institute for Supply Management at 10 a.m. may show a gauge of manufacturing in the U.S. increased to 54.3 in April, from 53.7 in March, economists projected in a survey. Fifty is the dividing line between expansion and contraction.

Source : Bloomberg

Japan Topix Gains After Capping Fourth Straight Monthly Drop

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Japan Topix index rose to a three-week high, after yesterday capping a four-month decline, as the Federal Reserve said the U.S. economy is gaining momentum and investors weighed earnings.

Nomura Holdings Inc. jumped the most in more than 10 months after Japan��s biggest brokerage posted quarterly profit that topped estimates and said it plans to buy back shares. Toyota Motor Corp. added 2.2 percent on a report the world��s largest carmaker may post record operating profit for the last fiscal year. Fujitsu Ltd. surged 6.3 percent after the computer maker��s earnings forecast beat expectations. Seiko Epson Corp. surged 18 percent after the stock was upgraded at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

The Topix added 1.7 percent to 1,182.20 in Tokyo, its highest close since April 7, with all but one of its 33 industry groups advancing. The measure slid 3.4 percent in April and is down 9.2 percent this year. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 1.3 percent today to 14,485.13. The yen traded at 102.26 per dollar after rising 0.4 percent yesterday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed to a record yesterday. The Standard & Poor��s 500 Index added 0.3 percent, with futures on the gauge little changed today.

Source : Bloomberg