Asian markets eased amid US-China trade talks

Equity markets in Asia traded mostly in green territory on Monday as players digested US labor data and an unexpected increase in crude oil prices earlier today.

WTI crude prices rose above $70 a barrel for the first time since November 2014, while Brent futures reached fresh highs, amid a deepening economic crisis in Venezuela that could push the country's oil supplies even lower.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 ended unchanged at 22,472.50, while the broader Topix was up 0.09 percent to close at 1,773.18 percent, with financial and technology sectors leading decliners.

Earlier today, the Bank of Japan’s nine-member board expressed concerns about stepping down from its massive stimulus programme due to market volatility and inflation prospects.

“While normalisation, or a gradual reduction in the degree of monetary accommodation, could become a topic for consideration in the future, the BOJ needs to explain to markets that normalisation [...] would be different from monetary tightening,” one member explained.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index was up 0.04 percent by the time of this writing, amid support from financials, property and technology sectors.

In mainland China, the Shanghai composite added 1.48 percent, while the Shenzhen composite was up 1.89 percent. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.36 percent to close at 6,084.50.

The US Labor Department said Friday nonfarm payrolls for April missed expectations at 164,000 jobs, against an expected job creation of 189,000. Average hourly earnings were also below forecast with a modest increase of 0.1 percent.

Economic calendar

In Germany, eyes will be at factory orders for March due for release as of 06:00 GMT.

Later on, market participants await a speech by FOMC members Bostic and Kaplan at 12:25 GMT and 19:30 GMT, respectively.

Later on, Japan’s household spending for March is due as of 23:30 GMT, with a 0.7 percent month-over-month reading eyed.

FortFS