In Asia, the markets had ended the day in positive territory, with Tokyo leading the way.NEW YORK - World stock markets rose on Monday, with Wall Street starting the new month on a steady footing ahead of a raft of new economic data later this week, traders said.
"The solid third-quarter earnings season confirmed the recent upturn and markets are watching out for changes in monetary policy," the analysts said. The yen neared a four-year low against the dollar with Japan seemingly not on course to tighten monetary policy in the short term, in contrast to the Federal Reserve which this week could announce plans to begin tapering its pandemic-fuelled stimulus support.
A statement by Fed chief Jerome Powell following the monetary policy meeting will be closely followed for an idea about when the US central bank will start hiking interest rates.