* MSCI Asia-Pacific index gains 0.15%, Nikkei adds 0.95%
* Prospect of Fed, ECB easing support global equities
* Pound sags with eurosceptic Johnson seen becoming new UKPM
* Asian stock markets: https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4
By Shinichi Saoshiro
TOKYO, July 23 (Reuters) - Expectations that the EuropeanCentral Bank and Federal Reserve will cut interest rates boostedstocks globally, while the pound sagged on worries that likelynew prime minister Boris Johnson would lead Britain into ano-deal exit from the European Union.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japangained 0.15%.
Japan's Nikkei rose 0.95%.
The Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.2%.Australian stocks added 0.4% and South Korea's KOSPIgained 0.45%.
The S&P 500 edged up towards a record high overnight,supported by expectations that the Federal Reserve would cutinterest rates at its July 30-31 policy meeting.
European stocks had also nudged higher on Mondaywith the European Central Bank seen cutting rates by 10 basispoints on Thursday.
But with central bank easing no longer a fresh theme, marketgains were limited.
"The likelihood of easing by the Fed is supportive forequity markets, but the probability of a 25 basis point rate cuthas already been factored in for the most part," said SoichiroMonji, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management.
In currency markets, the pound was 0.1% lower at$1.2465 and headed for its third session of losses.
Sterling was under pressure due to the likelihood thatBritain's ruling Conservative party would elect euroscepticJohnson as its new leader and prime minister, replacing TheresaMay. The result of the weeks-long internal party election willbe announced on Tuesday.
Some investors are worried Johnson could pull Britain out ofthe European Union on Oct. 31 without a trade deal in place inorder to appease hardline anti-EU members of his ConservativeParty.
The dollar index against a basket of six majorcurrencies rose 0.15% to 97.380, helped by a rise in U.S.yields.
The greenback gained 0.15% to 108.040 yen.
The euro dipped 0.1% to $1.1197 weighed by thepossibility of easing by the ECB.
"It is going to take a bold stroke by the ECB to bothsatisfy markets clamouring for incremental easing and make adifference to the economy, all the while remaining inside itsinstitutional setting and not destabilising the financialsystem," wrote Carl Weinberg, chief international economist atHigh Frequency Economics.
The New Zealand dollar slipped 0.3% to $0.6739,pressured in part by news the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ)was taking a fresh look at unconventional monetary policystrategies, with interest rates already at a record low of 1.5%.
Crude oil prices edged higher after two days of sharp gainsdue to heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Brent crude added 0.08% to $63.31 per barrel afterrising 1.2% the previous day on concerns over possible supplydisruptions after Iran's seizure of a British tanker late lastweek.(Reporting by Shinichi Saoshiro; Editing by SimonCameron-Moore)