BEIJING - Global stock markets rose Monday ahead of the signing of an interim U.S.-Chinese trade pact as investors shrugged off weaker-than-expected American jobs data. Investors expressed little concern over Friday’s data showing American employers added fewer jobs than forecast in December. Markets start the week “on a cautiously optimistic tone“ as investors look ahead for the possibility of further U.S.-China trade progress, Mizuho Bank said in a report. On Friday, U.S. stocks retreated from record highs after the Labor Department reported employers added 145,000 jobs in December, short of the 160,000 forecast. Under the “Phase 1” trade pact due to be signed Thursday, Washington postponed planned tariff hikes and Beijing agreed to buy more American farm exports.

Source: thestar January 13, 2020 10:41 UTC