TOKYO: U.S. stock futures rose on Monday on signs that the United States and North Korea are still working towards holding a summit next month, while oil prices extended losses on expectations of more supply from major producers.The euro edged up from a 6-1/2-month low but is seen vulnerable after efforts to form a coalition government in Italy, the currency bloc's third-biggest economy, collapsed over the weekend.U.S. S&P500 mini futures rose 0.3 percent in early Asian trade, but market holidays in the world's two biggest financial centers -- London and New York -- could make trading slow and illiquid for the day.Japan's Nikkei gained 0.3 percent in early trade, while South Korea's Kospi rose 0.5 percent, buoyed by stocks which are seen as benefiting from a further thawing in tensions with Pyongyang.But markets elsewhere in Asia appeared little fazed by the latest North Korean news after a week of conflicting signals from Washington. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was flat.President Donald Trump said on Sunday a U.S. team had arrived in North Korea to prepare for a proposed summit between him and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which Trump pulled out of last week before reconsidering. They last stood at $76.05, down 0.5 percent.U.S. "If the Italian debt prices fall further, people will have to do more hedging, say by selling the euro and so on.

Source: The Star May 28, 2018 01:18 UTC