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ASIA-MARKETS-UPDATE
Asian markets mostly down as global outlook hits sentiment
HONG KONG, April 25, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Asian markets stuttered Thursday
after New York equities retreated from record highs, with weak economic data
around the world offsetting a forecast-beating earnings season.
While the mood on trading floors remains broadly positive after a
blockbuster start to the year, there are lingering concerns that growth in
most parts of the world is well off the pace of the United States.
A dive in German business sentiment — the latest soft reading from the
European Union — a growth forecast cut by the Bank of Canada and a drop in
Australian inflation were enough to keep US traders from building on
Tuesday’s records.
“Investors were dealt with another economic reality check as financial
data from Europe remains as sick as ever, this despite a chorus of global
central banks stimulus,” said Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management.
“The weak EU economy is perhaps raising some doubts as investors spent
most of the day in self-analysis mode while taking stock of their stocks.”
There was further negativity in Asia, with South Korea on Thursday
reporting its biggest quarterly contraction since late 2008. The 0.3 percent
drop was also its first negative since the last three months of 2017.
The data comes after investors have been on a buying spree for much of the
year, fuelled by optimism that China and the US will hammer out a deal to end
their trade war, as well as central bank dovishness.
Shanghai was the main loser, ending down 2.4 percent on concerns the
Chinese government could ease up on a recent run of mini stimulus measures
that have supported the economy and equities in recent months.
Hong Kong fell 0.9 percent, Seoul dropped 0.5 percent and Singapore was
off 0.2 percent, with Manila and Jakarta also lower. However, Tokyo edged up
0.5 percent, Taipei added 0.1 percent and Mumbai put on 0.3 percent.
Sydney and Wellington were closed for a public holiday.
– ‘Time will tell’ –
OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley said: “Time will tell if the US
and China lift the rest of the world up or the rest of the world puts the
brakes on the US and China. That’s a story for another day but will
undoubtedly make the second half of 2019 as interesting as the first.”
Broad unease on trading floors weighed on currencies, with the dollar up
against higher-yielding units. The South Korean won shed 0.9 percent, hit by
the growth data, while Mexico’s peso shed 0.7 percent and the South African
rand dropped one percent.
On oil markets both main contracts edged up slightly after Wednesday’s
retreat from 2019 highs, following data pointing to a rise in US inventories.
Expectations are for the commodity to resume its upward march with
supplies from OPEC and Russia capped, Venezuela embroiled in crisis and Libya
hit by unrest.
Meanwhile, the US removal of waivers that allowed countries to buy from
sanctions-hit Iran is expected to hit supplies, though analysts are keeping
watch on the region and whether OPEC responds by opening up the taps.
“Frankly, Iran is a smouldering firecracker set in the Middle East powder
keg, suggesting that on the slightest of flare-ups oil prices are gapping
higher,” said Innes.
In early trade London fell 0.7 percent, Paris shed 0.4 percent and
Frankfurt dropped 0.1 percent.
– Key figures around 0810 GMT –
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 0.5 percent at 22,307.58 (close)
Hong Kong – Hang Seng: DOWN 0.9 percent at 29,549.80 (close)
Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 2.4 percent at 3,123.83 (close)
London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.7 percent at 7,420.55
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1150 from $1.1156 at 2200 GMT
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2907 from $1.2902
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 111.81 yen from 112.13 yen
Oil – West Texas Intermediate: UP two cents at $65.91
Oil – Brent Crude: UP 30 cents at $74.87 per barrel
New York – Dow: DOWN 0.2 percent at 26,597.05 (close)
BSS/AFP/HR/1430