MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan reversed early losses to rise 0.1 percent. Chinese shares rose, with the blue-chip index up 0.15 percent and the Shanghai Composite up 0.2 percent. The Korean won was up 0.1 percent on Monday at 1,122.2 won to the dollar, after sliding almost 0.7 percent on Friday. The perceived safe-haven Japanese yen strengthened, with the dollar shedding 0.2 percent to 110.48 yen , touching its weakest levels since mid-June. U.S. crude futures rose 0.1 percent to $49.75 a barrel, after earlier hitting $50.06, its first foray above $50 in two months.

Source: The Star July 31, 2017 01:30 UTC