Asian shares tick up as investors look for proof of 'goldilocks'

[TOKYO] Asian shares ticked up in early Tuesday trade as investors looked to a barrage of economic data around the world to confirm recent signs the global economy is in robust health with inflation staying well contained.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.1 per cent, while Tokyo's Nikkei rose 0.4 per cent.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.28 per cent to end at a record high of 21,891.12 but the Nasdaq Composite pulled back 0.42 per cent after recent rallies.

MSCI ACWI, an index of the world's 47 stock markets, logged its ninth consecutive month of gains in July on the back of expectations of solid global economic growth.

On the other hand, softening US inflation in recent months prompted investors to bet the Federal Reserve will adopt a patient approach to further interest rate increases.

As a result, the CBOE volatility index, which measures implied volatility of stocks and is often seen as investors' fear gauge, stood near record low levels hit last week.

"The low level of the Vix is a testament that investors expect 'goldilocks markets' to continue," said Shuji Shirota, head of macro economic strategy group at HSBC in Tokyo.

"Under such an environment, the dollar, which is a safe-haven asset, will continue to decline," he added.

Indeed, besides the United States, recent data from other parts of the world suggest a 'goldilocks' scenario where growth is fast enough to create jobs but not so rapid that it would lead to runaway inflation.

A raft of economic data is due on Tuesday, starting with Chinese manufacturing survey due at 9:45am local time (0145 GMT).

That will be followed by preliminary flash estimates of euro zone gross domestic product at 0900 GMT and US spending and manufacturing data, due at 1230 GMT and 1400 GMT respectively.

In the currency market, the euro traded at US$1.1824, having risen to as high as US$1.1846, its best level since January 2015, with a test of US$1.20 within sight.

It has gained almost 15 per cent from its January 3 low of US$1.0340, which was its weakest level since January 2003, on rising expectations that the European Central Bank will taper its stimulus next year.

The US dollar also slipped to a 1-1/2-month low of 110.21 yen, and last stood at 110.32 yen.

The Australian dollar held steady at US$0.8000 ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's policy announcement later in the day. The RBA is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold.

The firing of US President Donald Trump's communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, on Monday over an obscene tirade, just over a week after naming him to the job, also cemented the perception of a White house in disarray, further dragging on the US dollar.

An administration official said Mr Trump's new chief of staff, retired Marine Corps General John Kelly, who sources said was seeking to impose order and discipline on a White House riven with factions and backbiting, asked for Mr Scaramucci's removal.

Oil prices rose to two-month highs on Monday, on expectations of US sanctions against Venezuela's oil sector after Sunday's election of a constitutional super-body in Caracas, which Washington denounced as a "sham" vote.

Oil prices maintained gains even after the US Treasury Department late on Monday announced sanctions limited only to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Brent crude futures traded at US$52.70 per barrel after having hit a high of US$52.92 on Monday.

REUTERS