Asian markets swing as traders assess rates outlook

- AP Photo

HONG KONG: Asian markets drifted Thursday (June 20) as investors try to gauge the outlook for US interest rates, while also keeping tabs on developments in France as it heads for crucial elections.

With Wall Street closed, there were few catalysts to drive buying, though sentiment has been buoyed this week by recent data indicating the world's top economy is slowing gradually, giving the Federal Reserve some freedom to ease monetary policy.