Asian shares at one-year high

Friday, 30 May 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Global shares flirted with an all-time peak on Thursday while the euro touched its weakest in more than two months on bets the European Central Bank would unveil new stimulus measures next week.

ECB policymakers have opened the door to a rate cut, effectively charging banks to hold cash at the central bank overnight, and to a refinancing operation aimed at supporting businesses when its board meets on 5 June. Expectations of monetary easing have caused the euro to fall 2.3% against the dollar since the last ECB policy meeting on 8 May, leaving it trading at its lowest level since mid-February at around $1.3584. The MSCI All-Country World index has gained 1.6% over the same period, pushing it to an all-time high on Wednesday. The index was flat at 0751 GMT. European shares held firm near multi-year highs, with the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index hovering close to a near six-year peak reached earlier this week. Japan’s Nikkei share average rose marginally, extending its gains into a sixth day as strong Asian equities supported sentiment, but trading was choppy as some investors started to book profits. .T On the bond market, expectations of imminent ECB easing dented demand for low-yielding assets, keeping German yields at the lowest levels in a year and on course to record a fifth consecutive month of declines. Gold extended losses to a third straight session, hitting fresh 16-week lows on a stronger dollar and weak physical demand in top buyer China. Brent futures edged up slightly, holding near $110 a barrel amid hopes of improved demand from top oil consumer the United States as a sharp drop in the country’s gasoline stocks added to recent data pointing to a stronger economy.