Global stocks continue to lack clear drivers as the September quarter comes to an end, with many market participants merely squaring up positions. In Asia Pacific, most countries’ stock indexes are set to end the month higher, with solid earnings and broadly positive risk sentiment outweighing the region’s geopolitical concerns, in particular the escalation of tensions between North Korea and the U.S. The third quarter is set to be largely positive for Asian stocks, with Taiwan, Malaysia and Australia the outliers with declines. However, with a number of large markets closed Monday, and China’s going dark all of next week for holidays, OCBC Bank warned there might be some profit-taking Friday.via