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· World stocks hit another record, crude up in big data week

Global stocks again hit record highs and oil rose on Tuesday, before European and U.S. data that should this week offer major clues on the health of the world economy.

Risk markets have eked out gains in recent weeks as traders balance optimism that the United States and other key markets are reopening after pandemic-induced lockdowns with concern that rising inflation could prompt central banks to rein in stimulus programmes.

The recovery from COVID-19 also remains patchy in many parts of the world, with exports reviving but broader economic activity still dampened by measures to contain fresh outbreaks.

Against that backdrop, euro zone inflation numbers on Tuesday will give an indication of rising pressures in the bloc, while Friday’s U.S. jobs data should give a firmer steer on near-term Fed policy action.

In advance of that, MSCI’s broadest gauge of global stock markets rose 0.3% to a record high, led by broad gains across Europe’s leading indexes, with the STOXX Europe 600 up 0.7%.

Overnight, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.6%, hitting the highest in a month and taking total gains so far this year past 7%.

South Korean stocks rose 0.6% after a jump in May exports, and Chinese stocks climbed 0.2% after data showing factory activity expanded at the fastest pace this year in May.

This week’s main event is Friday’s U.S. payrolls data, with markets looking for a signal from the Federal Reserve on when it will start tapering its bond-buying programme. Median forecasts are that 650,000 jobs were added in May, but the outcome is uncertain following April’s unexpectedly weak 266,000 gain.Though U.S. inflation data last week was above estimates, another big miss on the jobs front would delay prospects for any wind-down of stimulus, analysts say.

· Asian stocks hit month high, gold gains ahead of U.S. jobs data

Asian equity markets hit a one-month peak on Tuesday, buoyed by the global stock rally, while gold flirted with five-month highs ahead of European and U.S. data this week that will likely offer clues on the health of the world economy.

· Stocks at 3-month highs; EM factory activity a mixed bag

Emerging markets made a strong start to June, with stocks rising to more than three-month highs on Tuesday while currencies moved further up in record territory.

May factory activity data from several emerging market countries showed a mixed bag, with manufacturing activity in South Korea and Russia expanding while slowing in India and contracting in Turkey.

In China, factory activity expanded at the fastest pace this year, but inflation pressure crimped production of some companies.

· China stocks end higher as healthcare gains on three-child policy

China stocks eked out gains on Tuesday, helped by strength in healthcare firms, as investors cheered Beijing’s latest three-child policy after recent data showed a dramatic decline in births in the world’s most populous country.

The blue-chip CSI300 index was up 0.2% at 5,341.68, while the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.3% to 3,624.71.

Shenzhen’s start-up board ChiNext slipped 0.3%, while Shanghai’s tech-focused STAR50 index firmed 1.2%.

· Japan's Nikkei edges lower before key U.S. economic data

Japan’s benchmark index ended slightly lower on Tuesday as investors awaited two key U.S. economic reports, though declines were capped by hopes of a domestic economic normalisation on delayed-but-steady rollouts of COVID-19 vaccines.

The Nikkei share average inched down 0.16% to close at 28,814.34, while the broader Topix inched up 0.17% to 1,926.18.

“Investors want to confirm the strength of U.S. recovery from the factory and jobs data to be announced later,” said Masahiro Ichikawa, chief market strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management.

· European markets climb as investors await key economic data

European markets moved higher on Tuesday after closing out their fourth straight month of gains, with a host of economic data out of the euro zone coming into view.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 climbed 0.6% in early trade, with basic resources adding 2.7% to lead gains as almost all sectors and major bourses entered positive territory.

· U.S. stock index futures were little changed in early premarket trade on Tuesday.

· China’s Robinhood rivals pile into the crypto craze as they look to compete overseas

Two of China’s rivals to stock trading app Robinhood are looking to cryptocurrencies as a way to compete overseas.

The companies, Futu and Tiger Brokers, disclosed during earnings calls last month they are applying for licenses in Singapore and the U.S. that would allow local customers to trade digital currencies.

The move comes as cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin have climbed back into the spotlight in recent months, while Chinese regulators have increased their efforts to limit speculation in the market. In the last few weeks, authorities issued new warnings against digital currency trading and a crackdown on bitcoin mining — an energy-heavy computing process that allows participants to earn bitcoin.

· Still in the throes of Covid, India emerges as one of Asia’s top stock markets in May

India stocks were among Asia-Pacific’s top-performing markets in May, even as the country continues to grapple with tens of thousands of new cases every day.

For the month, the Nifty 50 rose 6.5% while the BSE Sensex was up 6.47%.