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Asian markets hit by profit-taking, more weak China data
HONG KONG, Jan 14, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Hong Kong led a sell-off across Asian
markets Monday as profit-takers moved in following a six-day rally, while
dealers were also spooked by another disappointing batch of weak economic
data out of China.
With few catalysts to drive buying, equities were ripe for selling after
last week’s healthy gains, with the US government shutdown — now in its
fourth week and showing no sign of ending soon — instilling a sense of
unease.
Also on the agenda is Tuesday’s key Brexit vote, with British Prime
Minister Theresa May making an 11th hour appeal to MPs to pass her agreement
with the EU, which is expected to be voted down by a wide margin.
Hong Kong finished down 1.4 percent after chalking up gains of more than
six percent over the previous six trading days, while Shanghai ended down 0.7
percent and Singapore lost 0.5 percent.
Taipei was 0.5 percent lower, Mumbai lost 0.8 percent and Jakarta shed 0.9
percent.
Sydney was marginally lower but Wellington and Manila rose, while Tokyo
was closed for a holiday.
The losses follow a negative lead from Wall Street, where all three main
indexes fell Friday, ending a healthy week that had been boosted by optimism
that China and the US are edging towards a trade deal, while the Federal
Reserve indicated it could pause its interest rate hikes.
Trifecta Consultants analyst Sukrit Vijayakar said the “optimism
surrounding the US-China trade talks faded”, noting that statements from both
sides were positive but vague and “lacked concrete details”.
Data Monday showed China’s imports and exports fell last month, signalling
that the US tariffs are beginning to bite in the world’s number two economy.
The customs bureau also said China’s trade surplus with the US — a major
source of anger for President Donald Trump — widened 17.2 percent last year.
“China’s weaker-than-expected 2018 trade data has seen the China equity
market dive lower. Then sentiment went deeper into the tank on the release of
China December trade data, which missed the mark badly,” said Stephen Innes,
head of Asia-Pacific trade at OANDA.
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ASIA-MARKETS-UPDATE 2 LAST HONG KONG
– May’s key vote –
There are growing concerns that the partial shutdown of the US government,
which has seen hundreds of thousands of federal workers go unpaid, could also
impact the world’s top economy.
With Democrats refusing to give in to Trump’s demands for cash to pay for
a Mexican border wall, there is no end in sight in the row, which Standard &
Poor’s estimates has already cost the US more than $3 billion.
Markets may “pay increased attention to this issue as those numbers are
not small potatoes”, Innes said.
Dealers are now looking at the company reporting season, which starts in
earnest this week, with some fears of weak results as the global economy
shows signs of slowing.
The tech sector will be closely scrutinised after Apple earlier this month
lowered its revenue forecasts for the key December quarter, while rival
Samsung flagged a near 30-percent drop in operating profit.
On currency markets, the pound is holding up despite May’s expected defeat
in Tuesday’s vote, with lawmakers across all parties against her deal, with
just over two months until Britain formally leaves the EU.
The opposition Labour Party is suggesting it will seek a no-confidence
vote soon afterwards, which could fan further uncertainty and possibly lead
to another general election.
“The pound has found some bid with investors looking at a potential
extension of (the EU exit deadline). It’s not so much the fact of the
extension but the apparent coalescence of opinion around no-deal being a no-
no,” said Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com.
In early European trade, London fell 0.5 percent, Paris shed 0.8 percent
and Frankfurt 0.6 percent.
– Key figures around 0820 GMT –
Hong Kong – Hang Seng: DOWN 1.4 percent at 26,298.33 (close)
Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.7 percent at 2,535.77 (close)
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: Closed for a public holiday
London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.5 percent at 6,880.41
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1472 from $1.1467 at 2130 GMT on Friday
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 108.10 yen from 108.52
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2835 from $1.2846
Oil – West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 74 cents at $50.85 per barrel
Oil – Brent Crude: DOWN 76 cents at $59.72 per barrel
New York – Dow: FLAT at 23,995.95 (close)
BSS/AFP/HR/1440