Global shares mixed as Fed rate hike seen as less likely
TOKYO - Global shares were mixed Monday after a U.S. report showing slowing hiring was seen as making a Federal Reserve interest rate hike less likely.
France's CAC 40 was up 0.3 percent at 4,432.89 in early trading, while Germany's DAX gained 0.4 percent to 10,144.12. Britain's FTSE 100 gained 0.8 percent to 6,259.91.
U.S. shares were set to drift higher, with Dow futures up 0.2 percent and S&P 500 futures up 0.1 percent.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 fell nearly 0.4 percent to finish at 16,580.03. Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.4 percent to 21,036.24, and the Shanghai Composite edged down 0.2 percent to 2,934.10. Trading was closed in South Korea for a holiday.
Downbeat jobs data released Friday appeared to convince traders that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates low longer than previously expected. It also stirred concerns that the U.S. economy is slowing. The Labor Department reported that the economy added 38,000 jobs in May, the fewest in five years.
The U.S. employment figure "not only derails a potential summer Fed hike, but also increases the odds of the Fed remaining on hold through 2016, let alone two rate hikes. Employment has been the backbone of the U.S. economy over the last year, and the employment report has been a lifeboat for the Fed when other fundamental indicators turn unsupportive. Where to from here?" said Stephen Innes, senior trader at OANDA Asia Pacific.
Benchmark U.S. crude oil rose 56 cents to $49.18 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, which is used to price international oils, gained 56 cents to $50.20 a barrel in London.
The dollar traded at 107.18 yen, down from 108.92 yen late last week in Asia. The euro stood at $1.1357, up from $1.1155.