Swiss Market Ends Marginally Up

The Malaysia stock market on Monday snapped the two-day slide in which it had slumped almost 20 points or 1.2 percent. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index now sits just above the 1,600-point plateau and it's tipped to open in the green again on Tuesday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is cautiously optimistic, with technology and oil stocks expected to lead the way higher. The European and U.S. markets were mostly higher and the Asian bourses are also likely to open to the upside. The KLCI finished modestly higher on Monday following gains from the telecoms and plantations, while the financial and industrial sectors were mixed. For the day, the index improved 11.60 points or 0.73 percent to finish at 1,604.04 after trading between 1,591.49 and 1,605.41. Among the actives, Axiata rallied 1.34 percent, while Celcomdigi strengthened 1.20 percent, CIMB Group was up 0.24 percent, Genting gained 0.53 percent, Genting Malaysia jumped 1.42 percent, IHH Healthcare eased 0.14 percent, IOI Corporation accelerated 1.53 percent, Kuala Lumpur Kepong gathered 0.46 percent, Maxis surged 3.78 percent, Maybank dipped 0.19 percent, MISC sank 0.66 percent, MRDIY added 0.55 percent, Nestle Malaysia slid 0.20 percent, Petronas Chemicals fell 0.22 percent, PPB Group dropped 0.70 percent, Press Metal skyrocketed 6.59 percent, Public Bank collected 0.67 percent, QL Resources improved 0.84 percent, RHB Bank rose 0.47 percent, Sime Darby perked 0.45 percent, SD Guthrie soared 2.29 percent, Sunway spiked 1.72 percent, Telekom Malaysia increased 0.48 percent, Tenaga Nasional climbed 1.13 percent, YTL Corporation shed 0.51 percent and YTL Power was unchanged. The lead from Wall Street suggests mild upside as the major averages opened on opposite sides of the line on Monday and maintained a fairly narrow trading range before ending mixed.

The South Korea stock market has finished higher in two of three trading days since the end of the four-day losing streak in which it had plunged almost 250 points or 5.8 percent. The KOSPI now sits just beneath the 2,470-point plateau and it may tick higher again on Tuesday.

The Canadian market closed on a firm note on Monday, lifted by gains in energy and materials stocks as commodity prices climbed higher amid an escalation in the Russia - Ukraine war.

The Reserve Bank of Australia will on Tuesday release the minutes from its November 5 monetary policy meeting, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

The U.S. dollar drifted lower on Monday as bond yields fell, and the Euro gained in strength after European Central Bank Governing Council member Nagel said central banks may have to raise rates in the event of inflationary pressures rise.

The Canadian market is up in positive territory Monday afternoon with energy and materials shares recording strong gains thanks to higher commodity prices. The mood remains a bit cautious amid concerns about geopolitical tensions, and uncertainty about the Federal Reserve's monetary policy moves.

European stocks turned in a mixed performance on Monday as the mood remained cautious right through the day's session amid concerns over potential impacts of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's global economic policies, and persisting worries about the tensions in the Middle East, and the Russia - Ukraine war.

Homebuilder confidence in the U.S. has improved by much more than anticipated in the month of November, according to a report released by the National Association of Home Builders on Monday. The report said the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index climbed to 46 in November after rising to 43 in October. Economists had expected the index to inch up to 44.