Asian equities looked set to rebound after the U.S. announced expanded Treasury buybacks. In early Asian trade U.S. stock index futures ticked higher. On Wednesday the majority of S&P 500 components rose despite weakness in chipmakers. Japan, South Korea and Australia index futures pointed to higher opens, which would end a two-day slide for regional benchmarks. Elevated U.S. Treasury yields have kept borrowing costs high, weighing on growth and adding political risk for Trump and Republicans ah

Asian equities looked set to rebound after the U.S. announced expanded Treasury buybacks. In early Asian trade U.S. stock index futures ticked higher. On Wednesday the majority of S&P 500 components rose despite weakness in chipmakers. Japan, South Korea and Australia index futures pointed to higher opens, which would end a two-day slide for regional benchmarks. Elevated U.S. Treasury yields have kept borrowing costs high, weighing on growth and adding political risk for Trump and Republicans ahead of the November midterms. Investors demanding higher returns to offset inf risk triggered the recent bond selloff; markets are watching whether the Treasury measure will lower yields. Matt Maley, chief market strategist at Miller Tabak +, said the move reflects government concern about the bond market and is a 'shot in the arm' that could lift risk assets in the short term unless investors view it as a sign of economic weakness.