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Asian markets tick up after Trump tweets but uncertainty remains
HONG KONG, May 15, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – A series of tweets by Donald Trump
playing up the chances of a trade deal with China provided a much-needed
boost to Asian equities Wednesday but investors trod cautiously as analysts
warned of more volatility to come.
After more than doubling tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods last
week — sparking a retaliation from Beijing — Trump has threatened to hit a
further $300 billion with more levies if he does not get his way in high-
stakes talks.
However, in a series of tweets Tuesday the president gave markets some
hope that a deal between the economic titans will eventually be struck with
his counterpart Xi Jinping.
“When the time is right we will make a deal with China”, he wrote, adding
that his “respect and friendship with President Xi is unlimited”.
He went on to say: “We can make a deal with China tomorrow, before their
companies start leaving so as not to lose USA business” and called on the
Federal Reserve to “match” whatever the Chinese central bank does to support
the US economy.
The remarks, while again accusing China of backsliding in the trade talks,
provided some optimism and in early trade Shanghai was up 0.8 percent while
Hong Kong put on 0.6 percent and Sydney rose 0.5 percent.
Seoul added 0.6 percent, while Taipei, Wellington, Manila and Jakarta were
also well in positive territory. Seoul was barely moved.
However, Tokyo went into the break 0.8 percent lower.
– ‘Period of volatility’ –
Both sides have said they will resume talks in Beijing but with no date
yet set dealers are looking ahead to a possible meeting between Trump and Xi
at the G20 in Japan at the end of June.
“It’s just too early to tell if this is a buy (on equity markets), on
slightly oversold conditions, or if it’s the start of stabilisation,” Gina
Martin Adams, chief equity strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, told
Bloomberg TV.
“Our working thesis is that we’re going to be in for a period of
volatility for most of the next month as we await the G20 meeting.”
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And OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley warned that “sentiment
remains fragile and subject to the whims of trade headlines on either news
tickers or social media accounts”.
He added that while some gains could be expected “one suspects a lot of
money will remain on the sidelines as we await more clarity on the trade
situation”.
Oil prices dipped in Asian trade on Wednesday following a surprising rise
in US crude stockpiles but remain propped up by tensions in the Middle East.
Major producer Saudi Arabia said Tuesday a pumping facility on the Red Sea
had been attacked by armed drones, an act claimed by Yemeni rebels.
That came days after sabotage attacks on four ships, including two Saudi
Arabian oil tankers, in the United Arab Emirates.
“Trade issues will continue to cap gains in Asia, but if anything, the
incidents on opposite sides of Saudi Arabia will bring home how vulnerable
the flow of oil is from the Middle East,” said Halley.
– Key figures around 0230 GMT –
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.8 percent at 21,051.24 (break)
Hong Kong – Hang Seng: UP 0.6 percent at 28,277.04
Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.8 percent at 2,905.77
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1203 from $1.1208 at 2040 GMT
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2910 from $1.2907
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 109.60 yen from 109.62 yen
Oil – West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 38 cents at $61.40 per barrel
Oil – Brent Crude: DOWN 19 cents at $71.05 per barrel
New York – Dow: UP 0.8 percent at 25,532.05 (close)
London – FTSE 100: UP 1.1 percent at 7,241.60 (close)
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