GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian stocks fall on Syria concerns after four days of gains
Source: Reuters
HONG KONG, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Asian stocks broke a four-day winning streak on Wednesday while safe-haven bets such as gold consolidated overnight gains as U.S. lawmakers' growing support for military action against Syria sapped investor demand for riskier assets.
European markets are set to follow Asia's lead with financial spreadbetters expecting Britain's FTSE 100 to open flat, Germany's DAX to open up by 0.1 percent, and France's CAC 40 to open up by 0.2 percent.
The U.S. dollar stood tall as risk appetite ebbed, on course for its best five-day performance in two months against a basket of currencies as stronger-than-expected U.S. data emboldened dollar bulls.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose from the day's lows but remained slightly in the red after four days of gains.
Japan's Nikkei recouped early losses and rose to a fresh three-week high.. The benchmark Nikkei .N225 ended up 0.5 percent at 14,053.87, its highest closing since Aug. 14. The index has surged 35 percent this year, but is 12 percent below its May peak.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/04/markets-global-idUSL4N0H018W20130904
