Asian markets marked a second day of gains on Tuesday after a string of upbeat factory data around the globe boosted shares and most commodities, while a delay in a potential US strike on Syria diminished the safe-haven appeal of gold and the yen. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan added 0.3 percent, building on Monday’s 1.2 percent rise and on track for a fourth day of gains, and Japan’s Nikkei stock average added 1.9 percent.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 0.2 percent, though caution ahead of U.S. employment data at the end of this week limited gains. Friday’s US job data that could provide clues on when the US Federal Reserve will begin rolling back its bond-buying stimulus programme, noted Hi Investment & Securities analyst Kim Seung-han in Seoul. “Initially the market will reflect on the euro zone’s data but cues ahead may limit the extent of foreign inflows and cap market gains,” he said.
Asia markets lifted by upbeat data; yen eases
