Asian stocks hold on to gains; BoE in focus
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Asian stocks are holding on to gains as traders wait for more U.S. policy clues. The Bank of England (BoE) is expected to keep rates unchanged at its upcoming meeting. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index is near a two-year high, boosted by tech stocks. The index is on track for a 4% rise in June. The Nikkei fell 0.63%, while stocks in China were also lower. China left benchmark lending rates unchanged, despite the economy remaining wobbly. The pound is steady ahead of the BoE meeting, with most economists expecting rate cuts in August. Markets have priced in 43 basis points of easing from the BoE this year. The Swiss National Bank is expected to cut its key policy rate by 25 basis points for a second straight meeting. Norway's central bank is likely to keep its key policy interest rate unchanged. Nvidia has led a rally in tech stocks, making it the most valuable company in the world. U.S. markets were closed on Wednesday, with Nasdaq futures up 0.25% in early trading on Thursday. Investors are looking for fresh cues on when the Federal Reserve will start its policy easing cycle. The dollar and euro are steady, while the yen is weighed down by the interest rate differential between Japan and the United States. Oil prices are mixed, with Brent crude steady and WTI crude slightly lower. 

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https://www.investing.com/news/economy-news/asian-stocks-hold-on-to-gains-boe-in-focus-3489379