Equity markets gained ground during Asia-Pacific trade as investors mulled progress in US fiscal stimulus negotiations ahead of tonight’s Federal Reserve monetary policy meeting. Australia’s ASX 200 index rose 0.72% while Japan’s Nikkei 225 index nudged 0.26% higher, as Japanese manufacturing PMI climbed to its highest level since May 2019. In FX markets, the Euro, Japanese Yen and New Zealand Dollar largely outperformed, while the haven-associated US Dollar continued to lose ground against its major counterparts. Gold and silver added to yesterday’s gains as yields on US 10-year Treasuries slipped lower, as market ... (full story)