MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan built on early gains and advanced 0.3% to 602.2, the strongest since Feb 24. The benchmark has lost 4% so far this year, dragged by big declines in Chinese shares. European stocks headed lower as EUROSTOXX 50 futures eased 0.1% and FTSE futures dipped 0.2%. The Australian dollar jumped to a nine-month high after the central bank signalled higher interest rates were closer. Markets in mainland China and Hong Kong were closed for a public holiday on Tuesday. Markets were looking to Wednesday’s release of minutes from the Federal Reserve’s last policy meeting that could offer signs the US central bank could raise its benchmark overnight . . .
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