Asian markets are mixed today as regional manufacturing data is sub-par. Japanese and South Korean growth is moderating but privately owned Chinese factories are still ramping up production. In energy news, Brent breaks the $70-a-barrel marker on a surge in demand optimism ahead of the Opec+ meeting later today. Members are expected to gradually ease supply restrictions. G7 countries could be close to agreeing a global minimum tax rate but Japan’s finance minister Taro Asa warned no details would be revealed during this weekend’s bloc meeting. And EU member nations have agreed on the €750bn Covid recovery fund which is due to launch later this year.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.