By Wayne Cole
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Asian shares jumped on Thursday and the dollar backed off highs on expectations the Federal Reserve would be confident enough of the U.S. economy to raise rates in December but would then proceed with great caution on further tightening.
The pick-up in risk sentiment combined with the dip in the dollar gave commodities a reprieve from recent selling, with oil and gold inching higher.
Financial spreadbetters expected opening gains of 0.45 percent for Britain's FTSE 100 (FTSE), 0.89 percent for the German DAX (GDAXI) and 0.88 percent for France's CAC 40 (FCHI).
The Bank of Japan surprised no one at its regular policy meeting by maintaining the current pace of asset buying, though many still suspect it will have to ease again at some point to force inflation higher.
Japan's Nikkei (N225) firmed 1.07 percent, brushing aside a disappointing report on exports and imports.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (MIAPJ0000PUS) rose 1.98 percent, while Australia's main index (AXJO) jumped 2 percent for a third straight session of gains.
After a slow start, Chinese markets caught the better mood and the CSI300 index <.CSI300> of the largest listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen added 0.9 percent.
Sentiment was supported by the Dow (DJI) which ended Wednesday with a gain of 1.43 percent, while the S&P 500 (SPX) added 1.62 percent and the Nasdaq (IXIC) 1.79 percent.
Minutes of the Fed's last policy meeting showed most members were ready to sanction a lift-off in December as long as further moves were then highly dependent on the economy continuing to perform well.
"If - when - they lift rates in December, the Fed will likely be very aggressive in highlighting the idea of a very gradual pace," said Tom Porcelli, chief U.S. economist at RBC Capital Markets.
"We fully expect Yellen to promote this heavily at her press conference," he added, referring to what Fed Chair Janet Yellen will say after the pivotal Dec. 15-16 policy meeting.
The bond market seemed to get the message with longer-term debt outperforming and the yield curve flattening noticeably. While two-year yields (US2YT=RR) rose 3 basis points, those on 30-year paper (US30YT=RR) actually dipped a basis point.
The premium offered by U.S. two-year debt over its German counterpart also yawned out to 124 basis points, the fattest margin since 2006 and a positive for the dollar.
However, being long dollars has been a very crowded trade and investors decided to book some profits in the wake of the Fed minutes. Against a basket of currencies (DXY) the dollar dipped 0.5 percent and away from a seven-month peak.
The euro edged up to $1.0707
Minutes of the European Central Bank's last policy meeting are due later on Thursday and will likely reinforce expectations of further easing in December.
In commodity markets, gold
Oil prices rose from three-month lows on short-covering. U.S. crude (CLc1) gained 22 cents to $40.97 a barrel, while Brent (LCOc1) firmed 43 cents to $44.57.