In Asian Equity Markets stocks drifted lower on Tuesday as investors digested the release of better-than-expected China data. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 was little changed and last edging higher by 0.01 percent. The broader Topix was off by 0.22 percent, as the oil sector recorded gains amid declines seen in most other sectors. Over in Seoul, the Kospi shed 0.1 percent despite automakers climbing. Down Under, the S&P/ASX 200 drifted higher by 0.27 percent as all its subindexes traded in the green. The Shanghai composite was last off by 0.12 percent and the Shenzhen composite edged down by 0.48 percent.

In Currency Markets the US dollar steadied on Tuesday as the market’s focus shifted back to U.S. trade policy as investors wagered U.S.-led attacks on Syria would not escalate into a wider conflict in the Middle East. An index that tracks the dollar against a basket of six currencies steadied around 89.430 after a 0.4 percent fall on Monday, not far from its two-week low of 89.355 last week. Against the yen, the dollar softened to 107.04 yen, off its seven-week high of 107.78 yen touched on Friday as traders braced for a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In Commodities Markets oil prices rose on Tuesday amid worries there could be a high risk of disruptions to supply, especially in the Middle East. Brent crude oil futures were at $71.69 per barrel, up 27 cents, or 0.4 percent, from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 32 cents, or 0.5 percent, at $66.54 a barrel. Oil markets were receiving general support due to a sense that there were high risks of supply disruptions, including a potentially spreading conflict in the Middle East, renewed U.S. sanctions against Iran and falling output as a result of political and economic crisis in Venezuela.

In US Equity Markets stocks closed higher on Monday, with the biggest boosts from technology and healthcare sectors as investors were optimistic about earnings season and appeared less worried about U.S.-led missile attacks in Syria. Netflix shares gained around 7 percent after the market closed following its quarterly report. Its subscriber growth beat analyst expectations. It had ended the regular session down 1.2 percent. The S&P 500 gained 0.81 percent, to 2,677.84 and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.7 percent, to 7,156.29. JB Hunt Transport Services jumped 6.2 percent after the trucking company’s profit topped estimates.

In Bond Markets the U.S. yield curve reached it flattest level in over a decade on Monday afternoon as the White House said President Trump will nominate economist Richard Clarida as Federal Reserve Vice Chairman. Clarida’s nomination adds another hawkish voice at the central bank, which already leans in that direction under Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. The yield on the 10-year benchmark government bond was last up at 2.832 percent from its last close at 2.828 percent.