Bloomberg (07/11) -- Asian stocks and U.S. index futures fell while copper futures advanced as investors awaited reports on American employment and economic growth. Australian bonds snapped a five-day drop with the nation to issue jobs data.
Japanese and Australian shares drove a 0.2 percent drop in the MSCI Asia Pacific Index by 9:34 a.m. in Tokyo, while New Zealand equities climbed to a record. Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures fell 0.2 percent after the gauge rose 0.4 percent in New York. Australian 10-year bond yields fell one basis point to 4.19 percent and the Korean won strengthened, with the market open in Seoul delayed. Copper futures added 0.1 percent.
Australia is projected to post the biggest jump in employment since April and Malaysia may keep interest rates unchanged with Nikon Corp. and SK Hynix Inc. among Asian companies reporting earnings today. U.S. growth and jobs data today may help investors gauge the timeline for stimulus cuts after two Federal Reserve officials said the level of slack in the economy justifies an accommodative policy stance. Key rates in England and the euro region will probably remain on hold.