High quality global journalism requires investment. Stock markets across Asia were struggling to hold initial gains as oil prices continued to climb in response to an agreement between Russia and Saudi Arabia to extend production cuts, while currencies across the region strengthened against the dollar. 


European bourses are expected to open little changed, with spreadbetters predicting the UK’s FTSE 100 will add 2 points to 7,456 and Germany’s Dax to drop 10 points to 12,797. US index futures suggest the S&P 500 will shed 3 points to 2,399, when trading gets under way later in New York. 


Equities were faltering after a morning rally that built on a strong start to the week for Wall Street as oil prices jumped. In Tokyo the Topix was up 0.1 per cent after rising as much as 0.7 per cent. 


The Nikkei 225 was up 0.2 per cent and, at 19,901.96 points, within sight of the 20,000-point mark for the first time since December 2015

Source: NNA