(MENAFN– ecpulse)
Asian stocks dropped in today`s session along with a drop in metals and natural gas, and the regional benchmark declined for the fourth day. The MSCI Asia Pacific index declined 0.8 percent today in Tokyo to record the lowest in two weeks and the Japanese yen held its gains against the greenback.
The yen rose 0.2 percent against the dollar today recording the highest since June 26. Yet, Standard & Poor`s 500 Index futures were fluctuating with no clear direction and slight changes; while gold led the drop in metals, noting that cooper declined 0.3 percent and natural gas futures slid 2.3 percent.
Moreover, Asian equity markets showed instable performance ahead of Monetary Policy reviews from the U.S and rate decisions from the European Central Bank and Bank of England, where they are expected to keep interest rates low. Today`s data showed retail sales in the world`s third largest economy jumped 1.6 percent less than the expected 2.1 percent, which reduced the yen`s gains against other majors today.
Japan`s Topix index declined 1.7 percent to record the lowest close since June 28, while South Korea`s Kospi index fell 0.1 percent and Australia`s S&P/ASX 200 index climbed 0.1 percent.
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