Asian stock markets reduced ranks for the Lunar New Year holiday with markets closed in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Weak closing for the few inactive lists including the Australian ones, while a positive start is expected for Europe where futures are rising.
Sydney (-0.4%) and New Zealand (-0.9%) fell.
Trading still underway is weak in Mumbai (-0.6%) and Manila (-0.6%).
A day lacking in macroeconomic indicators but full of interventions by central bank representatives.
Speeches by Pablo Hernandez de Cos and Philip Lane for the ECB are expected in Madrid;
Thomas Barkin of the Fed in Atlanta;
the governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey.
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