In Asian Equity Markets the Nikkei 225 hovered around the flat line, while the Topix advanced 0.21 percent. Banking stocks led the move higher in morning trade, with Mitsubishi UFJ Group up 1.63 percent ahead of earnings due later. Steelmakers also advanced. In Seoul, the benchmark Kospi declined 0.55 percent as technology stocks weighed. Heavyweight Samsung Electronics fell 1.3 percent while chip-maker SK Hynix gave up early gains to slide 1.29 percent. Meanwhile, Sydney S&P/ASX 200 drifted lower by 0.24 percent, with declines seen in all but the health care and information technology sub-indexes.

In Currency Markets the US dollar inched up against a basket of currencies on Tuesday from its lowest level in more than a week as hopes for an easing of global trade tensions pushed U.S. bond yields higher. The dollar’s index versus a basket of six major peers rose about 0.1 percent to 92.647, pulling up from 92.243 on Monday, which was its lowest level since May 2. The euro edged up 0.1 percent to $1.1932, but remained below Monday’s high of $1.1996. The euro had briefly strengthened on Monday after European Central Bank policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau said that the ECB could give fresh guidance on the timing of its first rate hike as the end of its exceptional bond purchases approaches.

In Commodities Markets oil prices held firm on Tuesday as ongoing production cuts by OPEC and looming U.S. sanctions against Iran tightened the market amid strong demand. Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, were at $78.37 per barrel, up 14 cents from their last close and not far off a three-and-a-half year high of $78.53 a barrel reached the previous session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $71.09 a barrel. OPEC figures published on Monday showed that oil inventories in OECD industrialized nations in March fell to 9 million barrels above the five-year average, down from 340 million barrels above the average in January 2017.

In US Equity Markets indices ended flat a choppy session on Monday as weakness in defensive stocks offset optimism following U.S. President Donald Trump’s conciliatory remarks toward China’s ZTE Corp that calmed the waters of U.S.-China trade tensions. The S&P 500 pared its gains after hitting a roughly two-month high earlier in the session. Gaming company stocks jumped as the U.S. Supreme Court paved the way for states to legalize sports betting. Casino and race track operator Penn National  posted a record high, last up 4.7 percent. Caesars Entertainment and Madison Square Garden gained 5.5 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively.

In Bond Markets Treasury yields edged up on Monday, extending weekend gains as trade tensions eased a day after President Donald Trump pledged to help Chinese telecommunications company ZTE Corp, which has been penalized for violating U.S. sanctions with Iran. Monday’s moves were modest, with the 2-year note yield gaining less than a basis point. Nevertheless, its peak at 2.552 percent in morning trade was the highest it has been since August 2008. The benchmark 10-year government yield remained range-bound, last at 2.993 percent, just below the 3 percent level it broke through more than two weeks ago for the first time since January 2014.