Asia Stocks Struggle

China worries and missile tennis weigh on Asian sentiment.

 

Wall Street powered higher overnight after the Empire Manufacturing Index flushed out dip-buyers from the side-lines. The S&P 500 finished 0.85% higher, with the Nasdaq rallying 0.82%, while the Dow Jones climbed by 0.71%. In Asia, futures on all three have edged 0.05% higher.

 

However, the strong overnight session on Wall Street has not resulted in a mechanical rally across Asian markets. It is a mixed picture today with mutual missile tests, and the ensuing sabre-rattling, sending Japan and South Korean markets lower. The Nikkei 225 is down 0.33%, while the Kospi has retreated by 0.61%.

 

In China, markets are also on the back foot as Evergrande concerns rise, with authorities telling China banks not to expect interest on loan repayments next week. Combined with the Macau casino inquiry and poor data yesterday, China markets are struggling today. The Shanghai Composite is 0.30% lower with the CSI 300 down by 0.40%. Hong Kong has slumped once again, falling by 1.60%.

 

Regional Asia is faring somewhat better, if failing to match the exuberance of the Wall Street session. Singapore has risen by 0.30%, while Kuala Lumpur and Taipei are flat. Jakarta and Bangkok have risen by just 0.10% while Manilla has climbed 0.60%. Australian markets have been boosted by climbing energy prices and a positive overnight session, with the ASX 200 rising by 0.60%, and the All Ordinaries by 0.80%.

 

The localised issues in Asia will not be enough to knock Europe of course, although rising energy prices, notably natural gas, may be giving markets their food for thought. Nevertheless, I expect European markets to open positively today as we wait to see what sort of mood Wall Street is in this evening. A soft retail sales number could dampen the overnight enthusiasm.

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Jeffrey Halley

Jeffrey Halley

Senior Market Analyst, Asia Pacific, from 2016 to August 2022
With more than 30 years of FX experience – from spot/margin trading and NDFs through to currency options and futures – Jeffrey Halley was OANDA’s Senior Market Analyst for Asia Pacific, responsible for providing timely and relevant macro analysis covering a wide range of asset classes. He has previously worked with leading institutions such as Saxo Capital Markets, DynexCorp Currency Portfolio Management, IG, IFX, Fimat Internationale Banque, HSBC and Barclays. A highly sought-after analyst, Jeffrey has appeared on a wide range of global news channels including Bloomberg, BBC, Reuters, CNBC, MSN, Sky TV and Channel News Asia as well as in leading print publications such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, among others. He was born in New Zealand and holds an MBA from the Cass Business School.
Jeffrey Halley
Jeffrey Halley

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