Germany-based Bayer upped its buyout bid for fertilizer firm Monsanto
Stocks in Asia finished the day higher, after rallying Monday as
last week's U.S. nonfarm payrolls report eased expectations the Fed could raise interest rates this month. Rising crude futures also helped lift stocks, after Saudi Arabia and Russia on Monday agreed to cooperate in working toward production cuts and price stabilization.
Bank stocks boosted Japan's Nikkei to a 0.3% lead on speculation the Bank of Japan (BoJ) may cut interest rates at its meeting later this month. Meanwhile, China's Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong's Hang Seng each added 0.6%, and South Korea's Kospi tacked on 0.3%.
European markets are mixed, as oil prices waver and M&A buzz swirls. Shares of Germany-based Bayer AG slipped after the company confirmed
a higher offer of $127.50 per share for Monsanto. Meanwhile, the Swedish and German arms of Dow component General Electric made bids for two 3-D printing firms, giving stocks a lift. At last check, London's FTSE 100 is 0.4% lower, but France's CAC 40 and Germany's DAX have climbed 0.1% and 0.3%, respectively.
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