Shares in Australia rose 0.93% after the country’s prime minister unveiled a fourth stimulus package to repair the economy, this time aimed at the battered construction sector.
The euro held onto gains before a European Central Bank meeting later on Thursday, where policymakers are expected to increase debt purchases to support the bloc’s weakest economies. The Nasdaq Composite, the S&P 500, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average are close to overtaking all-time closing highs registered in February.
Chinese airline shares also fell after US President Donald Trump’s administration said on Wednesday it will bar Chinese passenger carriers from flying to the United States from June 16.The euro held near multi-month highs amid growing expectations the ECB will increase the size of its €750 billion Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme when it meets on Thursday.