MSCI's global share index (.MIWD00000PUS) was set for a fifth straight month of gains on Wednesday. Its index tracking Asian shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) was set for a small monthly loss, but still on course for a fifth straight quarterly rise, its longest such streak since 2006-2007.
The Asian index was last up 0.33% on the day.
Chinese blue-chips (.CSI300) added 0.1%, Australian shares (.AXJO) were up 0.58% and set for a ninth straight month of gains, and Seoul's Kospi (.KS11) rose 0.35%. Japan's Nikkei (.N225) edged up 0.06%.
The market's continued focus on Fed plans for tapering come as the world's largest economy continues to rebound from pandemic lockdowns.
At the same time, some investors remain worried about the economic impact of the highly infectious Delta variant of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia are all battling outbreaks and tightening restrictions, and Spain and Portugal announced restrictions for unvaccinated British tourists.
· European stocks mixed, looking to close out positive first half of the year
European stocks were muted on Wednesday, with global markets looking to close out a positive first half of the year.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 hovered 0.15% below the flatline in early trade, with tech stocks adding 0.5% while banks and autos dropped 0.8%.
European investors will be monitoring a host of economic data on Wednesday. U.K. first-quarter GDP was confirmed at -1.6% quarter-on-quarter, slightly below expectations, while business investment fell 10.7% quarterly as the country endured stringent lockdown measures.
· Britain's Dixons Carphone posts 34% profit jump as online sales help
· Serco expects over 50% jump in H1 profit as COVID-19 services help
Outsourcer Serco Group forecast on Wednesday a more than 50% jump in first-half profit, bolstered mainly by its COVID-19 services for the UK government, although it warned that revenue from those services would drop in the second half.
Reference: CNBC, Reuters
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