Asian shares close higher after oil prices slip

• Wall Street experienced a softening trend as the global economy awaits the August nonfarm payrolls report scheduled for 12:30 GMT on Friday, September 3, 2026. • Economists anticipate a rebound to 58,000 new jobs, following a significant shock decline of 23,000 positions recorded in July.

• In August 2026, Asian markets showed divergent performance, with South Korea and Taiwan maintaining strong year-to-date gains of over 90% and 64%, respectively. • India's equities declined by 0.2% due to a combination of rising energy costs, modest foreign outflows, and a general decrease in risk appetite.

• Thailand’s SET Index closed at 1,576.92 points on September 3, 2026, marking a slight increase of 1.85 points (0.12%). • Total trading value for the session reached THB 64.48 billion, with the market rebounding after an initial period of sideways-up movement.

• Citi analysts have identified a basket of European stocks poised to benefit from a strategic "inward turn" toward trade protection and domestic demand. • Despite projected long-term earnings growth approximately 7 percentage points above the broader market, this specific basket has underperformed by about 10% since the start of the Middle East conflict.

• Benchmark indices remained flat in afternoon trade, with the Nifty trading below 23,950 as losses in IT, FMCG, and metals were offset by gains in banking and realty. • HUDCO has signed an MoU to provide ₹25,000 crore in financial assistance over five years to develop industrial infrastructure and acquire project land.

• On September 2, 2026, the Indian stock market declined, with the Sensex ending 373 points lower at 76,570 and the Nifty falling below the 24,000 mark. • Major losses were seen in key stocks, specifically Asian Paints and HDFC Bank, contributing to the overall market downturn.

• European stocks trended upward as the recent global bond selloff began to ease, providing a boost to equity markets. • In the commodities sector, gold prices climbed above $4,400, driven by a weaker U.S. dollar and falling yields that renewed investor demand for bullion.

• European stocks have stabilized after hitting one-month lows, reacting to weak payrolls data that has dampened expectations for aggressive interest rate hikes. • New York Fed President John Williams stated on Wednesday that policymakers must adopt a "wait and see" approach regarding incoming economic indicators.

• The U.S. economy maintained its growth trajectory throughout September, driven primarily by resilient demand within the private sector. • This expansion indicates that businesses and consumers continue to spend despite broader economic pressures and fluctuating market conditions.

• Asian and US stock markets rose on Thursday as investors reacted positively to Donald Trump's suggestion that US attacks against Iran would likely be short-lived. • The shift in sentiment led to a decline in oil prices and bond yields, providing a boost to major indexes in Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Taipei, and Jakarta.

• Asian stock markets rose, with South Korea’s KOSPI advancing 1.5% and Singapore’s Straits Times Index gaining 0.7%, as bond yields retreated and oil prices steadied. • Mitsubishi Corp climbed nearly 5% and financial stocks surged following comments from Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel, who reaffirmed the firm's long-term commitment to its Japanese investments.