Shares gain ahead of key US earnings and data

LONDON, July 15 (Reuters): Shares climbed worldwide and the dollar held onto most of its July gains on Tuesday as market participants entered a key week for US earnings, inflation data and trade talks in a relatively optimistic mood.

MSCI's world share index rose 0.16 per cent on Tuesday and is a whisker away from last week's all-time highs.

Europe's STOXX 600 rose 0.2 per cent, underperforming MSCI's broad APAC ex-Japan benchmark, up 1 per cent, and Nasdaq futures up 0.6 per cent, with both gaining after Nvidia it would resume sales of its H20 chips to China.

The focus is now shifting to the US earnings season which begins on Tuesday, with second-quarter reports from major banks. S&P 500 profits are expected to rise 5.8 per cent year-over-year, according to LSEG data.

The outlook has dimmed sharply since the early April forecast of 10.2 per cent growth, before Trump launched his trade war.