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Asian shares edged up early on Tuesday, supported by higher-than-expected Chinese growth data.

China’s economy grew 6.8 percent in the first quarter of 2018 from a year earlier, official data showed on Tuesday, unchanged from the previous quarter.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan edged up 0.05 percent.

On Wall Street, the Dow gained 0.87 percent and the S&P 500 rose 0.8 percent on Monday, with the biggest boosts coming from the technology and healthcare sectors as investors were optimistic about the forthcoming earnings season.

In the Middle East, markets were mixed on Monday. Saudi Arabia’s index outperformed its peers in the region.

It gained 1.0 percent. Insurance firm BUPA Arabia gained 5.5 percent after it recommended an increase in capital to 1.2 billion riyals ($320 million) from 800 million riyals through a 1-for-2 bonus share issue.

Al Rajhi Bank gained 2.7 percent, returning to the multi-year high that it hit last week.

Qatar’s index rose 0.7 percent as Qatar Islamic Bank gained 1.6 percent after reporting a 12.6 percent rise in first-quarter net profit to 625.2 million riyals ($171.8 million). That was above analysts' average forecast of 547 million riyals.

Qatar International Islamic Bank posted a 7 percent rise in first-quarter net profit, lifting its share price 1.4 percent. The country's biggest bank, Qatar National Bank, added 0.9 percent.

Dubai’s index fell 0.3 percent as Emaar Properties dropped 1.7 percent. Neighbouring Abu Dhabi’s index lost 0.4 percent.

Egypt’s index rose 0.2 percent, Bahrain’s index gained 0.5 percent, Kuwait’s index gained 0.3 percent and Oman’s index lost 0.2 percent.

In commodities, oil prices rose early on Tuesday.

“With so many potential supply disruptors in play and few signs that the current market upheaval will end any time soon, traders continue to pay the geopolitical risk premium,” Stephen Innes, head of trading for Asia-Pacific at futures brokerage OANDA in Singapore told Reuters.

Brent crude oil futures were at $71.69 per barrel at 0326 GMT, up 27 cents, or 0.4 percent, from their last close.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 32 cents, or 0.5 percent, at $66.54 a barrel.

In currencies, the dollar index against a basket of six major currencies steadied on Tuesday after a 0.4 percent fall on Monday.

Against the yen, the dollar softened to 107.04 yen.

Gold prices were steady on Tuesday, Spot gold was unchanged at $1,345.62 an ounce at 0322 GMT.

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© ZAWYA 2018