Oil Extends Advance Above $36 as U.S. Explorers Idle More Rigs

Oil extended gains above $36 a barrel as U.S. drillers cut the number of active rigs to the lowest in more than six years amid a global glut. Futures advanced as much as 1.6 percent in New York and oil in London extended its longest run of gains since November. Rigs targeting oil fell by 8 to 392, the smallest level since December 2009, according to Baker Hughes Inc. That is the 11th week of declines. Hedge funds unwound bearish bets ...

Aussie Surge to July High Defies Forecasts; Traders Alert to RBA

The Australian dollar’s climb over the past month has defied forecasts, taking it to the top of the leaderboard as rising commodity prices, falling volatility and a central bank on the sidelines drive demand. Only one of more than 50 forecasters are predicting the Aussie will strengthen in the second quarter after it climbed against all major peers since early February to reach a seven-month high on Friday. The currency retreated Monday...

China stocks rise on policy cues from parliament meeting, hang seng climbs

China stocks climbed in early trading on Monday, extending strong gains over the past four sessions, as investors reacted positively to statements from top Chinese leaders at the annual parliament session over the weekend. Hong Kong shares also had a positive start to the week, aided by an upbeat mood in the region, following Friday gains in U.S. and European markets, and continued rebound in oil and commodity prices. The CSI300 index...

Asian Stocks Swing as Investors Weigh China Goal, U.S. Jobs Data

Asian stocks fluctuated, following the biggest three-week advance since 2009, as investors weighed China’s move to cut its economic growth target and a surge in U.S. hiring that boosted optimism in the outlook for the world’s largest economy. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index was little changed at 126.31 as of 9:07 a.m. in Tokyo, after swinging between a gain of 0.3 percent and a loss of less than 0.1 percent. U.S. equities rose on...

Japanese Stocks Fall After U.S. Payrolls, China Growth Target

Japanese shares fell, after the Topix index capped its best three weeks since 2014, as investors weighed a surge in U.S. hiring that came with negative wage growth and China set a weaker growth target for this year. The Topix lost 0.4 percent to 1,371.82 as of 9:01 a.m. in Tokyo, with about eight shares rising for each that fell. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average slipped 0.4 percent to 16,947.68. Friday’s U.S. jobs report showed employers...