Shanghai skyline as seen from the observation deck at the Shanghai Tower in China.
Qilai Sheng | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Asia-Pacific markets were expected to open higher on Monday, tracking Wall Street’s year-to-date gains US job report December showed fewer jobs than expected, and the unemployment rate fell, a sign of stability in the labor market.
Investors are watching oil prices as Iran enters its third week of protests that have killed more than 500 people, according to a US-based rights group. President Donald Trump reportedly weighing options for intervention in Iran, according to to many reports on Sunday.
Brent oil futures It increased by 0.84% and made $63.87 per barrel US West Texas Intermediate Crude oil was up 0.83% at $59.62 by 7:25 a.m. Singapore time (6:25 p.m. EST Sunday).
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.22%.
from Hong Kong Hang Seng Index The futures contract was set to open at 26,408, compared to the index’s previous close of 26,231.79.
Japanese markets are closed for the holiday.
US stock futures were flat in Asian hours ahead of key economic data and earnings reports for the week.
Friday in the state S&P 500 closed up 0.65% to 6,966.28, a new record close. It is also a a new intraday high in session.
The Nasdaq Composite It increased by 0.81% to 23,671.35. The Dow Jones Industrial Average It added 237.96 points, or 0.48%, to end at 49,504.07, also setting a new record close.
— CNBC’s Sean Conlon and Pia Singh contributed to this report.