GLOBAL MARKETS-Global shares extend gains on U.S. stimulus, upbeat data

* Asian stock markets: https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4

(Adds TSE says share trading will be halted all day)
By Hideyuki Sano
TOKYO, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Global shares tried to extend gains
on Thursday on renewed hopes for fresh U.S. stimulus measures,
but mounting uncertainty ahead of America's presidential
election and technical problems in Japan kept gains in check.
S&P500 futures ESc1 rose 0.6% in Asia, extending Wall
Street shares' rebound overnight after strong employment data
and talk of progress on long-delayed COVID-19 relief
legislation. .N
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan
.MIAPJ0000PUS was up 0.3%, with Australian shares .AXJO
rising 1.4%.
But regional trade was thinned by system glitches at the
Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) and holidays in Greater China and
South Korea.
Technical problems at the TSE prompted the suspension of all
share trading in Japan. The TSE said trading would be halted all
day and said it was not sure when it can recover its systems.
Derivatives trading in Osaka was unaffected. Nikkei futures
JNIc1 rose 0.5% in tandem with gains in U.S. futures.
On Wednesday, the S&P500 .SPX gained 0.83% and the Nasdaq
Composite .IXIC added 0.74%, even though they wrapped up
September with their first monthly declines since March, when
mandated coronavirus shutdowns slammed the economy.
A spate of economic data mostly surprised to the upside,
with the ADP National Employment index blowing past analysts'
expectations and pending home sales surging to an all-time high.
"The U.S. data is surprisingly strong, so that underpins the
market. But I don't expect a clear-cut trend in markets until we
see the outcome of the U.S. election," said Hirokazu Kabeya,
chief global strategist at Daiwa Securities.
Also helping to boost risk appetite, U.S. House of
Representative Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary
Steven Mnuchin both expressed hope for a breakthrough in
partisan stimulus negotiations. But many market participants remained cautious after
Tuesday's chaotic presidential debate, which heightened fears
that a disputed ballot on Nov. 3 could lead to a long and messy
transfer of power. President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden
talked over each other and traded insults as they sparred over
the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare and the economy. "Global investors may be pulling back from the U.S. as the
election approaches and the political dysfunction in Washington
is laid bare," said Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer
with Independent Advisor Alliance in Charlotte, North Carolina.
"But they also need to take into consideration that a weaker
U.S. economy could presage a weaker global economy, which may
drive investors to safe-haven assets" later in 2020, he added.
In the currency market, the robust U.S. data and stimulus
hopes helped to push down the U.S. dollar against riskier
currencies.
The euro rose 0.1% to $1.1733 EUR= while the Australian
dollar also ticked up 0.1% to $0.7171 AUD=D4 .
The offshore Chinese yuan gained 0.3% to 6.7635 per dollar
CNH=D4 , while the yen was little moved at 105.50 to the dollar
JPY= .
In commodities, oil held firm, with U.S. crude futures flat
at $40.23 per barrel CLc1 and Brent futures up 0.1% at $40.22
a barrel LCOc1 .