CAC 40 Declines As Investors Await Key Inflation, GDP Readings

The South Korea stock market bounced higher again on Monday, one session after ending the two-day winning streak in which it had advanced more than 25 points or 1 percent. The KOSPI now sits just above the 2,740-point plateau and it may tick higher again on Tuesday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is cautiously optimistic, with strength likely from the technology shares. The European markets were up and the U.S. bourses were mixed and the Asian markets are tipped to open to the upside. The KOSPI finished modestly higher on Monday following gains from the financial shares and industrials, while the technology stocks were mixed. For the day, the index added 17.52 points or 0.64 percent to finish at 2,742.14 after trading between 2,734.64 and 2,756.41. Volume was 572.2 million shares worth 12.1 trillion won. There were 474 decliners and 402 gainers. Among the actives, Shinhan Financial soared 2.73 percent, while KB Financial collected 1.87 percent, Hana Financial rallied 1.90 percent, Samsung Electronics jumped 1.94 percent, Samsung SDI retreated 1.62 percent, LG Electronics sank 0.41 percent, SK Hynix perked 0.11 percent, Naver slumped 1.76 percent, LG Chem tumbled 1.63 percent, Lotte Chemical strengthened 2.10 percent, S-Oil surged 2.91 percent, SK Innovation added 0.37 percent, POSCO improved 0.75 percent, SK Telecom rose 0.39 percent, KEPCO climbed 1.01 percent, Hyundai Mobis was up 0.22 percent, Hyundai Motor accelerated 2.66 percent and Kia Motors spiked 1.95 percent.

The Reserve Bank of Australia will on Tuesday release the minutes from its May 7 monetary policy meeting, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

The U.S. dollar stayed largely positive on Monday with traders assessing the likely moves of the Federal Reserve with regard to interest rates.

The Switzerland market ended on a firm note on Monday, extending its long winning streak, as the mood continued to remain positive thanks to strong quarterly earnings, and expectations of interest rate cuts.

European stocks closed a bit higher on Monday as expectations that the stimulus measures announced by China last week will help revive the property sector in the world's second largest economy, and optimism about interest rate cuts in the coming months helped underpin sentiment in European markets.

Jabil Inc. (JBL) announced Monday it is confirming the previously provided third-quarter guidance for net revenue of $6.2 billion to $6.8 billion, earnings of $0.82 to $1.38 per share and core earnings of $1.65 to $2.05 per share.

An expected softening in inflation readings in the U.S. triggered the U.S. dollar's decline against major currencies during the week ended May 17.

Kyndryl Holdings, Inc. (KD), a technology infrastructure services provider, announced Monday a collaboration with NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA) to accelerate the development, implementation and use of AI-powered insights and business outcomes.