(Bloomberg) — U.S. equity-index futures began the week with modest gains along with stocks in Asia as investors weighed further signs of recovery in China against more virus outbreaks in some parts of the world.The dollar was steady against most G-10 peers early Monday. S&P 500 futures ticked up after the gauge rose on Friday, while shares opened higher in Tokyo and Seoul. Shares in Australia dipped and the Aussie rose after Westpac Banking Corp.’s influential economist walked back his call for an interest rate cut to November from October. Crude oil slipped. Treasuries were little changed.Global equities remain on course for the first month of losses since March amid mounting signs that the pace of economic recovery will slow with an uptick in global coronavirus cases and a stall in further government aid. Data over the weekend showed profits at China industrial companies grew for a fourth consecutive month in August.“The data augers well for the China growth story,” said Stephen Innes, global markets strategist at AxiCorp.Democrats and Republicans will have to pick up the pace to complete a stimulus relief package before the Nov. 3 election after hitting an impasse in early August, with the sides far apart. Meantime, investors were also digesting a New York Times report that President Donald Trump paid just $750 in U.S. income taxes in both 2016 and 2017. Trump said the story is a “total fake.”Here are some key events coming up:The final scheduled round of talks between the U.K. and EU on a post-Brexit trade deal takes place in Brussels on Monday.On Tuesday, the first U.S. presidential debate will take place between President Donald Trump and Democratic opponent Joe Biden.The EIA crude oil inventory report comes out Wednesday.The September U.S. employment report on Friday will be the last before the November election.These are the main moves in markets:StocksS&P 500 futures gained 0.2% as of 9:05 a.m. in Tokyo. The index rose 1.6% on Friday.Japan’s Topix index added 0.7%.South Korea’s Kospi index climbed 1.1%.Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 0.2%.CurrenciesThe Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was little changed.The yen was at 105.53 per dollar.The euro bought $1.1631.The offshore yuan was at 6.8274 per dollar.The Aussie rose 0.2% to 70.46 U.S. cents.BondsThe yield on 10-year Treasuries ticked up to 0.66%.Australia’s 10-year bond yield fell two basis points to 0.78%.CommoditiesWest Texas Intermediate crude dipped 0.4% to $40.09 a barrel.Gold was at $1,860.85 an ounce, little changed.For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.
