Indian Morning Briefing: Mixed Asian Markets; China’s economic activity slowed in October

GLOBAL MARKETS 
DJIA             33536.70   -211.16    -0.63% 
Nasdaq           11196.22   -127.11    -1.12% 
S&P 500           3957.25    -35.68    -0.89% 
FTSE 100          7385.17     67.13     0.92% 
Nikkei Stock     27960.90     -2.57    -0.01% 
Hang Seng        17950.25    330.54     1.88% 
Kospi             2468.42     -6.23    -0.25% 
SGX Nifty*       18443.50      66.0     0.36% 
*Nov contract 
 
USD/JPY    140.31-32  +0.31% 
Range      140.51   139.88 
EUR/USD    1.0316-19  -0.11% 
Range      1.0335   1.0313 
 
CBOT Wheat Dec $8.184  per bushel 
Spot Gold   $1,768.87/oz -0.1% 
Nymex Crude (NY) $85.33  -$3.63 
 
 
US STOCKS 

US stocks ended lower as investors digested fresh comments from Federal Reserve officials on the prospect of further interest rate hikes.

The S&P 500 fell 0.9% and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.6%.

Stocks have risen in recent days on hopes the Fed won’t have to tighten financial conditions much more after US inflation in October fell below economists’ estimates. The Fed’s quest to control inflation this year has dragged down stocks, bonds and commodities.

Some of the excitement from last week has died down to start the week.

“Just because there might be a spike in inflation, just because the Fed is slowing down, doesn’t actually mean it’s starting a new bull market because the risk of a recession is still relatively high for the US. next year,” said Keith Lerner, co-chief investment officer. at Truist Advisory Services. Lerner noted that stocks don’t always rally when the Fed cuts rates, pointing to the performance of the S&P 500 in 2000.

 
 
ASIAN STOCKS 

Japanese stocks were flat at 27958.23 in early trading after opening lower as investors continue to digest comments from US Federal Reserve officials who stressed the need to continue to fight inflation. Developments in China-Japan relations can be watched closely as Prime Minister Kishida meets Chinese President Xi on Thursday.

South Korea’s benchmark Kospi edged up 0.2% to 2479.45 in early trading as tech and gaming stocks rose. Early gains, however, were capped by profit taking and weak corporate earnings. Hopes that the Federal Reserve could slow policy tightening are also fading, as fresh comments from Fed officials have underscored the need to continue to fight inflation.

Hong Kong stocks were higher at the start of trade, extending a rally since last Friday on improving investor sentiment after China eased quarantine requirements and weak US inflation data. The benchmark Hang Seng Index rose 1.2% to 17836.95. “After the previous volatility, the market is very sensitive to any potential catalysts,” analysts at Tianfeng Securities said. They believe China’s internet sector could offer good opportunities, given attractive equity valuations and improving fundamentals.

Chinese stocks fell in morning trade, trailing Wall Street’s losses overnight on comments from Fed officials that suggested further tightening is ahead. Markets were also digesting the Biden-Xi meeting, which prompted cautious optimism but also underscored deep disagreements between the two superpowers. The energy and pharmaceutical sectors weighed on the markets. The Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.1% to 3081.13, while the Shenzhen Composite Index and the ChiNext Price Index both fell 0.1%.

FOREX 

Asian currencies were mixed against the USD in the Asian morning session amid diverging moves. Monday’s meeting between U.S. President Biden and Chinese President Xi may have helped reduce tensions between the two countries, MUFG Bank senior currency analyst Jeff Ng said in a research report. Fed Vice Chair Brainard also briefly helped sentiment after saying it would be appropriate “soon” to slow the pace of rate hikes, he noted. However, other Fed officials emphasized their focus on fighting inflation, Ng added. USD/KRW was down 0.1% at 1,322.80, USD/TWD was up 0.3% at 31.00 and AUD/USD edged down 0.1% to 0 ,6695.

METALS 

Gold prices were slightly lower at the start of Asian trading, after stabilizing at their highest level since mid-August overnight. Oanda’s senior market analyst Edward Moya said gold’s rally could run out of steam. “The Fed remains the main driver of gold prices and this week could see a strong hawkish reaction from policymakers,” Moya said. Spot gold was down 0.1% at $1,768.87 an ounce.

OIL SUMMARY 

Oil prices were lower at the start of Asian trading amid concerns about demand prospects and a stronger dollar. “China’s adherence to its Covid-zero policy with lockdowns, restrictions and testing has clouded near-term demand prospects, particularly in light of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases,” he said. said ABC analyst Vivek Dhar in a note. China accounts for about 16% of global oil demand, he added. In addition, OPEC said in a monthly report that uncertainties surround the outlook for global crude supply and cut its oil demand forecast slightly. First-month WTI futures were down 0.6% at $85.33/bbl; First-month Brent futures fell 0.4% to $92.77/bbl.

 
 
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(END) Dow Jones Newswire

November 14, 2022 10:15 p.m. ET (03:15 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2022 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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