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· GLOBAL MARKETS-Asia shares turn cautious before earnings, U.S. crude crushed

Caution gripped Asian share markets on Monday amid expectations a busy week of corporate earnings reports and economic data will drive home the damage done by the global virus lockdowns, while a glut of supply sent U.S. crude spiraling to 20-year lows.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS eased 0.23% in slow trade, pausing after five straight weeks of gains.

· Japan shares slip on caution ahead of earnings

Japanese shares pulled back on Monday from a near six-week high hit in the previous session, as caution set in before corporate earnings results that are likely to reveal the damage wrought by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The Nikkei index settled down 1.15% at 19,669.12, led by declines in the consumer discretionary and healthcare sectors.

Companies linked to consumer spending took a hit as Japanese officials encourage more people to stay at home to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The healthcare sector initially got a boost as companies raced to test medicines to deal with the pandemic, before giving up some of these gains as nervous investors started to lock in profits.

· China stocks end higher as key rate cut again

China stocks ended higher on Monday as a key Chinese lending rate was cut for the second time this year to shore up the coronavirus-hit economy.

At the close, the Shanghai Composite index was up 0.5% at 2,852.55.