March 18 (Reuters) - The Russian rouble opened slightly firmer against the U.S. dollar and the euro on Monday, a day after President Vladimir Putin won a record post-Soviet landslide in Russia's election on Sunday, cementing his already tight grip on power. By 0415 GMT, the rouble was 0.1% stronger against the dollar at 92.83 and gained 0.2% to trade...

BEIJING (Reuters) - Oil prices ticked up in early Asian trading on Monday, firming up gains from last week when prices rose nearly 4% on the view that supply was tightening. Brent crude oil futures for May delivery inched up 3 cents to $85.37 a barrel by 0045 GMT. The April contract for U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was...

* Asian stock markets : https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4 * Nikkei bounces, S&P 500 futures edge higher * China output, retail sales beat forecasts * Markets brace for BOJ to end negative rates * Fed seen on hold, but might signal slower rate cuts * Dollar keeps gains, yen on defensive for now (Adds China data, updates prices) By Wayne Cole SYDNEY, March...

TOKYO, March 18 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average jumped more than 2% on Monday, as investors turned bullish after they learned more about the likely changes to the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) policy settings due to be announced on Tuesday. The Nikkei rose 2.1%. to 39,521.43 by the midday break, while the broader Topix gained 1.51% to 2,711.15. Investors...