* Asian stock markets : https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4
* MSCI ex-Japan near 18-mth highs, up nearly 5% this month
* E-mini futures at all-time highs, up 2.7% this month
* Currencies tread water, Sterling near 3-week lows
By Swati Pandey
SYDNEY, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Asian markets idled near 18-month
highs on Monday as volumes weakened ahead of the Christmas
holiday break and investors squared off their positions, taking
home hefty gains made earlier this month.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan
.MIAPJ0000PUS was steady after rising 1.4% last week and over
5% this month. For the final quarter of the year, the index is
up nearly 10% so far.
Japan's Nikkei .N225 climbed 0.1% after reaching a
14-month top last week. It was ahead by 2.3% for the month so
far. South Korea's market .KS11 was a shade weaker after
adding 5.5% so far in December.
Chinese shares were slightly lower with the blue-chip CSI300
.CSI300 down 0.1%.
E-Mini futures for the S&P 500 ESc1 held at all-time highs
having put on 2.7% for the month.
Global stocks were "basking in the after-glow of the U.S.
China trade deal and continued encouraging signs of
stabilisation in the global growth slowdown," said David
Bassanese, Sydney-based chief economist at Betashares.
On Friday, the benchmark S&P 500 extended its run of record
highs to seven straight sessions, its longest streak in more
than two years. All three major U.S. indexes - the S&P 500,
Nasdaq and Dow - notched up gains. .N
"While we're entering 2020 with more hope than last year, as
is always the case, there's never any room for complacency,"
Bassanese added.
Data on Friday showed U.S. growth nudged up in the third
quarter, while there were signs the economy maintained its
moderate pace of expansion as the year ended. Consumer spending
was stronger than previously reported, and there were upgrades
to business spending.
U.S. President Donald Trump gave markets more reasons to
cheer on Saturday when he said the United States and China would
"very shortly" sign their so-called Phase One trade pact.
Under the deal, the United States would agree to reduce some
tariffs in exchange for a big jump in Chinese purchases of
American farm products.
The only major data this week is the U.S. personal
consumption expenditure (PCE) deflator for November, due on
Friday.
Data elsewhere reminded investors of potential weak spots in
the world economy.
The mood among German consumers deteriorated unexpectedly
heading into January, a survey showed, suggesting that household
spending in Europe's largest economy could weaken at the
beginning of next year. The euro EUR= held at $1.1077 after slipping 0.4% last
week.
Sterling GBP= last fetched $1.3009, not far from Friday's
three-week low of $1.2976. It slid 2.6% last week for its worst
weekly showing since October 2017. The safe haven Japanese yen was treading water at 109.40.
That left the dollar index .DXY barely changed at 97.678
against six major currencies.
In commodities, Brent crude LCOc1 was off 17 cents at
$65.97 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1
slipped 14 cents to $60.3 a barrel.
Spot gold XAU= was slightly ahead at $1,479.30 an ounce.
Asia stock markets https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4
Asia-Pacific valuations https://tmsnrt.rs/2Dr2BQA
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