U.S. Markets News

Bahrain has hired a group of banks to arrange a multi-tranche U.S. dollar-denominated bond sale, as Gulf borrowers line up to tap the market following the end-of-year lull.

As the rising COVID-19 caseload overshadows recent investor enthusiam and keeps buoyant share markets from reaching new highs, traders are hoping for positive news this week from a raft of corporate earnings.

China's benchmark lending rate is likely to remain unchanged at the first monthly fixing of the year on Wednesday, steady for the ninth straight month, as the economy recovers from the coronavirus shock.

Copper prices were steady in lacklustre trade on Tuesday as global investors eyed an upcoming speech by U.S. Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen that could determine the tone of policy in the world's largest economy.

Japan's biggest business lobby shrugged off on Tuesday calls for wage hikes as it braced for key spring salary negotiations with labour unions, calling blanket pay rises "unrealistic" as companies are hit by fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.

China shares fell on Tuesday as a resurgence of COVID-19 cases hit market sentiment, with consumer discretionary and materials stocks leading the retreat.

European car registrations dropped in December, declining for the third month in row, industry data showed on Tuesday, as measures to restrict a second coronavirus wave hit sales in most of the continent's largest markets.

* Belgium, Spain, other possible candidates for 50-year issuance

Japanese shares closed higher on Tuesday after declining for two consecutive sessions, as investors scooped up beaten-down stocks, with automakers and semiconductor-related plays leading the rebound.