Stocks Slip Amid Earnings Deluge; Yuan Retreats: Markets Wrap

Bloomberg.com — Asian stocks began the week lower as investors questioned earnings results against lofty expectations and prepared for key policy meetings from the world’s biggest central banks. The onshore yuan added to last week’s slump, driven in part by China’s moves to ease monetary conditions.

Equities fell from Tokyo to Sydney. U.S. and U.K. equity futures signaled declines when trading begins in New York and London, after the S&P 500 Index closed weaker Friday. The yen steadied and Japan’s benchmark 10-year bond yield climbed to the highest since February 2017, amid speculation the Bank of Japan may discuss adjusting its ultra-loose monetary policy this week. The dollar ticked higher alongside U.S. Treasury yields.

Central-bank policy decisions and a slew of earnings reports, including from Apple Inc., are set to dominate moves in financial markets this week. Investors will focus on whether the BOJ will fine tune its policy and look for any indications the Federal Reserve is shying away from two more interest-rate hikes before the end of this year.

Elsewhere, oil rose toward $69 a barrel on a draft proposal to roll back U.S. automobile efficiency requirements that may increase fuel consumption. Gold and copper fell.