Elsewhere, Australian bond yields and the local dollar dropped, and stocks pushed higher, after the Reserve Bank of Australia governor said rate cuts were still a possibility. The pound steadied as investors awaited more news on Brexit negotiations. The baht dipped as Thailand declared a state of emergency in Bangkok to crack down on anti-government protesters.
Asian stocks dipped Thursday as investors weighed earnings reports from U.S. banks and fading chances of an American stimulus deal before next month’s election. The dollar steadied after an overnight decline.
Shares slipped in much of the region, while Australian equities outperformed. S&P 500 contracts fluctuated after the gauge retreated Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Co. and Bank of America Corp. both fell after disappointing investors. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. outperformed after earnings beat expectations.
