SYDNEY (Reuters) – Asian shares got off to a sluggish start on Monday ahead of a week packed with geopolitical risk, Chinese economic data and earnings reports from major U.S. banks.
A holiday in the United States made for thin trading, but at least there was progress on averting an imminent government shutdown as congressional leaders agreed on another stopgap spending bill.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dipped 0.1% after losing 0.8% last week. Japan’s Nikkei held steady near 34-year highs, having enjoyed stellar gains of 6.6% last week.
S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures were both down around 0.1% in early trade.
Earnings season rolls on, with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley among those reporting. Retail sales is the main U.S. data of the week, while the Iowa caucus will be…
