Stocks Steady as Rate Fears Ebb

Stocks markets in Europe and Asia steadied Tuesday after a strong finish on Wall Street, as investor concerns eased over a potential September rise in interest rates by the Federal Reserve.

The Stoxx Europe 600 rose 0.4% in early trade after falling for three consecutive sessions. U.S. futures pointed to a 0.5% opening loss for the S&P 500, which notched its largest gain on Monday since early July.

In Asia, Japan's Nikkei Stock Average rose 0.3%, while Australia's S&P ASX 200 edged lower and the Shanghai Composite Index was little changed.

Global stocks have been volatile in recent sessions as investors have focused intensely on central bank actions. Speculation that the Fed could raise rates as soon as next week sparked a sharp selloff in stocks on Friday, but those concerns appear to have abated after three Fed officials said on Monday there is no hurry to move.

The WSJ Dollar Index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, was 0.2% higher Tuesday, clawing back some of Monday's losses. In commodity markets, Brent crude oil was down 1.6% at $47.56 a barrel, after rising Monday.

Write to Christopher Whittall at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 13, 2016 04:15 ET (08:15 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.