Stocks and equity-index futures rose while oil declined on speculation a meeting between US and Russian leaders will increase the chances of ending the war in Ukraine and boost crude supply.
Contracts for European shares rose 0.2% and that for the S&P 500 edged up 0.1%. Oil fell 0.5% while gold also dropped as US President Donald Trump prepared to meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday.
Asian shares rose 0.3% while a gauge of the dollar weakened 0.1%. Bitcoin jumped as much as 3.3% to top $122,000 to come within striking distance of a record-high. Asian lithium stocks gained while most chip shares retreated.
There was no cash trading in Treasuries in Asia due to a holiday in Japan. Financial markets are drawing comfort from the prospect of an end to the three-year war in Ukraine, following a flurry of weekend diplomacy.
European nations are seeking talks with Trump ahead of his upcoming meeting in Alaska.
Trump had earlier threatened sanctions—and penalties—on countries like India for purchasing oil from Russia, prompting Putin to hold phone calls with Narendra Modi and other world leaders.
