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☆ Asian stocks subdued as traders brace for inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"But I think it's not just this week's inflation indicator, it's also the December payroll numbers ... they'll be quite critical." "Our view is that the Fed will probably start cutting rates when inflation goes below the 3% mark. The weaker-than-expected data weighed on Treasury yields, with the yield on benchmark 10-year notes slipping 9.6 basis points on Monday. The dollar index , a measure of the greenback against a basket of currencies, fell to 103.07, its lowest since Aug. 31. Data showed retail sales in Australia unexpectedly slipped in October as consumers cut back on everything but food, though analysts believe many were merely saving some money to splurge on Black Friday sales that took place this month.

Persons: DAX, Vasu Menon, they'll, Menon, Dave Ramsden, Christine Lagarde, Jerome Powell, HSI, Brent, Ankur Banerjee, Sam Holmes, Kim Coghill Organizations: Federal, Investors, OCBC Bank, of England, European Central Bank, Japan's Nikkei, Treasury, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Singapore, U.S, Hong Kong, Australia

☆ Asian shares drop as investors brace for central bank-packed week
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 0.8% to $91.52, their highest level since November, while Brent crude futures rose 0.7% to $94.55 per barrel. In Asia, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) fell 0.7%. This week, global central banks will take centre stage, with five of those overseeing the 10 most heavily traded currencies holding rate-setting meetings. Last Friday, Wall Street ended sharply lower as U.S. industrial labour action weighed on auto shares. The euro gained 0.1% to $1.0667, after slumping to a 3-1/2 month low of $1.0632 last week as the European Central Bank signalled its rate hikes could be over.

Persons: BOE, BOJ, Taiwan's TSMC, Hong, Tommy Xie, Chris Weston, Weston, Kazuo Ueda, Cash Treasuries, Stella Qiu, Shri Navaratnam, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan, Nasdaq, . West Texas, Brent, Japan's Nikkei, Technology, Reuters, Trust, Greater, Greater China Research, OCBC Bank, China Evergrande, Fed, U.S ., Bank of England, Treasury, Amazon, European Central Bank, Thomson Locations: China, SYDNEY, Europe, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Zhongrong, Greater China, HK, Pepperstone, Tokyo

☆ Asian shares stumble as investors brace for central bank packed week
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

S&P 500 futures advanced 0.2% while Nasdaq futures edged 0.1% higher. Also, Chinese trust firm Zhongrong International Trust Co, with exposure to Chinese property developers, said over the weekend it was unable to make payments on some trust products on time. The euro recovered 0.1% to $1.0673 in early Asia trade, after slumping to a 3-1/2 month low of $1.0629 last week as the European Central Bank signalled its rate hikes could be over. Brent crude futures rose 0.3% at $94.20 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 0.4% at $91.14. Reporting by Stella Qiu; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: BOE, BOJ, Tommy Xie, Jerome Powell, Chris Weston, Weston, Kazuo Ueda, Cash Treasuries, Stella Qiu, Lincoln Organizations: SYDNEY, Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan, Nasdaq, Japan's Nikkei, China Evergrande, HK, International Trust Co, Greater, Greater China Research, OCBC Bank, U.S . Federal, Fed, U.S ., Bank of England, Treasury, Amazon, European Central Bank, Brent, . West Texas, Thomson Locations: China, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Hong Kong, Beijing, Greater China, Tokyo

☆ China's central bank set to boost liquidity but keep policy rate steady
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SHANGHAI, Sept 14 (Reuters) - China's central bank is expected to boost liquidity while keeping the borrowing cost steady when rolling over its medium-term policy loans on Friday, a Reuters survey showed, after a string of data showed some signs of economic stabilisation. China has already lowered the medium-term policy rate twice since June to stimulate credit demand and support a faltering economic recovery. New bank lending in China beat expectations by nearly quadrupling in August from July's level, as the central bank sought to shore up economic growth amid soft demand at home and abroad. To revive broad credit demand and rescue the troubled property sector, China unexpectedly cut the MLF rate last month. For this reason alone, it seems unlikely that the PBOC will embrace large-scale rate cuts."

Persons: Frances Cheung, Julian Evans, Pritchard, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: People's Bank of China, OCBC Bank, U.S, Capital Economics, Shanghai, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, China, United States, OCBC Bank .

☆ Singapore's OCBC bank suffers brief outage, shares gain 1%
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

SINGAPORE — Southeast Asia's fourth largest bank OCBC suffered a short outage on Monday that affected its digital and card banking channels. At 9.43 a.m. Singapore time, the bank said in a Facebook post that it was facing "technical problems impacting our banking channels." About an hour later at 10.37 a.m., OCBC announced that card and branch services were restored, followed by ATM services. In a statement to CNBC, OCBC sought to assure customers there was no security breach. We are investigating the cause of the technical problem and will provide an update as soon as we can," an OCBC spokesperson said.

Persons: OCBC Organizations: OCBC, CNBC Locations: SINGAPORE, Southeast, Singapore

☆ Reaction to China inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Below are comments from analysts on the inflation data:XING ZHAOPENG, SENIOR CHINA STRATEGIST, ANZ, SHANGHAI"Both CPI and PPI in year-on-year terms fell into negative territory and confirmed economic deflation. "With destocking and credit expansion, we expect PPI and CPI will rebound from the bottom in the fourth quarter. The CPI deflation may put more pressure on the government to consider additional fiscal stimulus to mitigate the challenge." XIA CHUN, CHIEF ECONOMIST, YINTECH INVESTMENT HOLDINGS, HONG KONG"The lower inflation data reflects weak demand on the mainland, which is biggest challenge facing China's economy. It also shows China's slower-than-expected economic rebound is not strong enough to offer the weaker global demand and lift commodity prices."

Persons: XING ZHAOPENG, CHUAN, FRANCES CHEUNG, Rather, ZHIWEI ZHANG, MARCO SUN, XIA CHUN, GARY NG, Liangping Gao, Ellen Zhang, Winni Zhou, Samuel Shen, Li Gu, Sam Holmes Organizations: ANZ, CPI, PPI, OCBC, SHANGHAI, MUFG BANK, ASIA PACIFIC, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, CHINA, SHANGHAI, China, SINGAPORE, HONG KONG, Japan, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong

☆ China swings into deflation as recovery falters
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

BEIJING (Reuters) -China’s consumer prices fell into deflation in July, while factory gate prices extended their declines, as the world’s second-largest economy struggled to revive demand and pressure mounted for authorities to release more direct stimulus. FILE PHOTO: Staff sort fruits at a Walmart in Beijing, China, September 23, 2019. China’s economic recovery slowed after a brisk start in the first quarter, as demand at home and abroad weakened. “Both CPI and PPI in year-on-year terms fell into negative territory and confirmed economic deflation,” said Xing Zhaopeng, senior China strategist at ANZ. Otherwise, economic data showing some growth improvement is required, which is not coming through yet.”JAPAN-STYLE DEFLATION?

Persons: Tingshu Wang, “, ”, Xing Zhaopeng, Xing, Frances Cheung, Japan’s “, Liu Guoqiang Organizations: Walmart, REUTERS, National Bureau of Statistics, Authorities, CPI, PPI, ANZ, “, OCBC Bank, NBS, Investors Locations: BEIJING, Beijing, China, Shanghai, Singapore, JAPAN, Brazil

☆ Singapore's recent political scandals do not represent political upheavals: OCBC
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSingapore's recent political scandals do not represent political upheavals: OCBCDespite recent political scandals, Vasu Menon from OCBC Bank says Singapore is "still a good bet", and is sticking to a positive position on the country's economy and markets.

Persons: Vasu Menon Organizations: OCBC Bank Locations: Singapore

☆ China's PBOC asks foreign banks about dollar deposit rates amid weak yuan
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The People's Bank of China did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comments. The PBOC said in mid-May that authorities will resolutely curb large fluctuations in the exchange rate and study the strengthening of self-regulation of dollar deposits. Weeks later, sources told Reuters that a self-regulatory body overseen by the central bank had told major state-owned banks to lower dollar deposit interest rates. Big banks were told to cap them at 4.3%, from the previous ceiling of 5.3%. "The move could help increase offshore dollar deposits," said a trader at a foreign bank, adding it may add downside pressure on China's balance of payments and the yuan.

Persons: PBOC, Weeks, Christopher Wong Organizations: People's Bank of China, Reuters, U.S . Federal, OCBC Bank, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, BEIJING, China, U.S

This week it hit a six-month low on the dollar after surprise cuts to key China rates, putting the gap between 10-year sovereign yields in China and the U.S. at its widest since November. The position, with China's rates below those in the United States , is the reverse of more than a decade of high-growth that saw China paying better yields than markets in the west. "The People's Bank of China's tolerance of currency weakness ... also opens up room for further yuan weakness." Even if the Federal Reserve holds rates steady later on Wednesday, as expected, traders are braced for an extended period of elevated U.S. interest rates and, increasingly, for China to hold rates low or push them even lower. Analysts polled by Reuters expect the PBOC will cut the costs of medium-term loans on Thursday and many market watchers expect a benchmark lending rate cut next week.

Persons: hasn't, Morgan, J.P, Tommy Xie, Kiyong Seong, Winni Zhou, Brenda Goh, Tom Westbrook, Kim Coghill Organizations: Bond, People's Bank, People's Bank of China, Federal Reserve, Reuters, Authorities, OCBC Bank, Societe Generale, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, SINGAPORE, China, U.S, Beijing, United States, Asia, Shanghai, Singapore

"The central bank's rate cut decision was not a complete surprise to the market," said Ken Cheung, chief Asian FX strategist at Mizuho Bank. Further interest rate cuts in China would only widen the yield gap with the United States, even if the Fed pauses this week, sending the yuan lower and accelerating capital outflows. Tuesday's rate cut suggests policymakers are increasingly worried about the health of China's recovery, traders and analysts said. Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources, that China was considering at least a dozen stimulus measures including cuts to interest rates to support areas such as real estate and domestic demand. "There could be another RRR or policy interest rate cut in Q4, depending on the economic outcome over the next several months."

Persons: Ken Cheung, Yi Gang, Cheung, Marco Sun, Frances Cheung, Goldman Sachs, Winni Zhou, Tom Westbrook, Sam Holmes, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: People's Bank of China, Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank, Bloomberg, OCBC Bank, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, SINGAPORE, China, United States, outflows

☆ China cuts short-term borrowing costs as economy slows
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

SummarySummary Companies PBOC lowers 7-day reverse repo to 1.9% vs. 2.0% prev. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) cut its seven-day reverse repo rate by 10 basis points to 1.90% from 2.00% on Tuesday, when it injected 2 billion yuan ($279.97 million) through the short-term bond instrument. "The central bank's rate cut decision was not a complete surprise to the market," said Ken Cheung, chief Asian FX strategist at Mizuho Bank. Tuesday's rate cut suggests policymakers are increasingly worried about the health of China's recovery, traders and analysts said. "However, the market is expecting the PBOC to cut the policy rate further.

Persons: 10bp, Ken Cheung, Yi Gang, Cheung, Marco Sun, Frances Cheung, Julian Evans, Pritchard, Winni Zhou, Tom Westbrook, Kim Coghill, Sam Holmes Organizations: People's Bank of China, Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank, OCBC Bank, Capital Economics, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, SINGAPORE, China, United States, outflows

☆ China keeps lending benchmarks unchanged amid signs of recovery
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SHANGHAI/SINGAPORE, April 20 (Reuters) - China kept its benchmark lending rates unchanged for the eighth straight month on Thursday in line with expectations, as the economic recovery reduced the need for any immediate monetary support. The one-year loan prime rate (LPR) was kept at 3.65%, while the five-year LPR was unchanged at 4.30%. The medium-term lending facility (MLF) rate now serves as a guide to the LPR. Markets mostly use the medium-term policy rate as a indication of likely changes to the lending benchmarks. "There might be cuts to deposit rate and 5-year LPR, so as to lower funding costs and support long-term business loans."

☆ Analysis: China's 'atypical' deflation cycle gives central bank a headache
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Kevin Yao | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

China GDP"China is entering an 'atypical' deflation cycle, which means deflation amid economic recovery," said Jinyue Dong, senior economist at BBVA research. China's new bank lending hit an all-time high in the first quarter. The central bank cut lenders' reserve requirements ratio (RRR) for the first time this year in March. But analysts say that is largely due to last year's low base caused by COVID-19 curbs that hit consumers the hardest, rather than underlying household demand. Reuters GraphicsNew household loans, mainly mortgages and consumer loans, accounted for 16% of total new loans in the first quarter, despite a jump in mortgages in March, while corporate loans made up for the rest.

☆ Dollar finds footing as focus turns to Europe inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The dollar lost 0.9% on the euro on Wednesday, its sharpest drop in a month. It was about 0.2% firmer on the euro on Thursday, with the common currency at $1.0649 in Asia trade ahead of inflation data due at 1000 GMT. The New Zealand dollar which rose 1.2% on Wednesday, fell 0.4% on Thursday to $0.6230. China's yuan settled back to 6.8928 to the dollar after logging its biggest jump of 2023 on Wednesday. Besides European inflation, euro zone employment and central bank minutes are due later in the day, as is U.S. jobless claims data.

☆ The property market is so bad in China that some banks are letting people be on mortgages till they are 80
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Some banks in China are now extending the upper age limit for mortgage borrowers to 80. Banks in cities like Beijing, Nanning, and Ningbo have raised the upper age cap. To attract more mortgage-seekers, some banks are starting to extend the upper age limit for homeowners servicing mortgages to 80 years old, according to various local media outlets. The upper age limit is typically 65 to 70 now, according to news outlet Sixth Tone. Banks have extended the upper age cap for mortgages in cities like Beijing and Nanning, the Beijing Youth Daily reported on February 14.

☆ Asian currencies will benefit from a weaker U.S. dollar this year, OCBC Bank says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailAsian currencies will benefit from a weaker U.S. dollar this year, OCBC Bank saysSelena Ling of the bank says the dollar was "king" in 2022, but the "story has really changed" as the U.S. Federal Reserve is approaching the peak terminal rate.

☆ Instant View: China's economy slows sharply in Q4, 2022 growth one of the worst on record
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

As a result, the Chinese economic growth rate will be below the Chinese government's target of 5% plus." This could weigh on their potential economic growth in the mid-and long-term, and we really need to be paying attention to that." MARCO SUN, CHIEF FINANCIAL MARKET ANALYST, MUFG BANK (CHINA), SHANGHAI"China's Q4 and full-year 2022 GDP growth rates came in higher than expected. Economic growth will have to depend more on productivity growth, which is driven by government policies." IRIS PANG, GREATER CHINA ECONOMIST, ING, HONG KONG"The biggest surprise is the retail sales number, which is really a big beat...

☆ China central bank to maintain or increase policy-loan liquidity - Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The PBOC manages liquidity by extending loans to banks under its one-year medium-term lending facility (MLF). Twelve analysts expected the central bank to replace that debt exactly with 700 billion yuan of new lending, and 10 expected it to go further and lend a greater amount. A great majority - 21 traders and analysts - expected the MLF interest rate to stay unchanged at 2.75% this month, while the remaining four respondents expected a small rate cut. Markets still expect some monetary policy easing measures to support economic recovery, including cuts to policy rates and the amount of cash that banks must set aside as reserves. "The PBOC will likely cut interest rates soon to aid the expected economic recovery this year."

☆ Dollar steady as investors await economic data, Fed minutes
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SINGAPORE, Jan 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. dollar was mostly flat on Tuesday as investors awaited slew of economic data this week along with minutes of the last Federal Reserve meeting that will shed light on the Central bank's thinking around interest rates and inflation. The index rose 8% last year in its biggest annual jump since 2015 on the back of the Fed raising interest rates to tackle inflation. The dollar is likely to consolidate as "market activity gradually picks up this week," said Christopher Wong, currency strategist at OCBC Bank in Singapore. After delivering four consecutive 75 basis points hikes, the U.S. Central Bank raised interest rates by 50 basis points last month. The minutes of the December meeting is due to be released on Wednesday, with investors looking for cues on what path the Fed is likely to take in 2023.

☆ Indian rupee ends 2022 as worst-performing Asian currency
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Anushka Trivedi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MUMBAI, Dec 30 (Reuters) - The Indian rupee ended 2022 as the worst-performing Asian currency with a fall of 11.3%, its biggest annual decline since 2013, as the dollar rocketed on the U.S. Federal Reserve's aggressive monetary policy stance to tame inflation. Most traders and analysts expect the currency to move between a tight 81.50-83.50 range in the first quarter. Equity inflows would be a key metric to watch for the rupee for foreign investors as well, analysts said. But considering several uncertainties heading into 2023, such as tight monetary policy conditions, likely recession in some economies and an ongoing geopolitical conflict, gauging the direction of share markets had become tough, they added. If we get a selloff in Indian shares, I'll be less optimistic on the rupee," said Christopher Wong, FX strategist at OCBC Bank.

☆ China's reopening is a 'mixed blessing' and 'wild card' for 2023, says OCBC Bank
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailChina's reopening is a 'mixed blessing' and 'wild card' for 2023, says OCBC BankVasu Menon of the bank says inflation could be "reignited" after China's reopening, but on the flip side, the resumption of production and the easing of supply chains could lead prices to fall.

☆ China's key money rate hits near 2-year low, but softening seen fleeting
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SHANGHAI, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Liquidity conditions in China's interbank money markets eased further on Tuesday, as cash supply far outpaced demand, despite a huge withdrawal of funds by the central bank. Traders said declines in interbank rates were largely due to looser cash conditions after financial institutions cut leverage this month. While most other major economies are raising interest rates to tame inflation, Beijing is focusing more on propping up a slowing economy by keeping money rates low. And many market participants had taken advantage of the low repo rates to fund leveraged trades in bonds, traders said. However, markets are divided whether the falls in the money rates would be sustainable.

☆ Singapore's services sector will have to do the 'heavy lifting' from here, says OCBC Bank
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSingapore's services sector will have to do the 'heavy lifting' from here, says OCBC BankSelena Ling of the bank says Singapore's services sector has "a bit of wind under our wings."

Helen Wong, Group CEO of OCBC Bank poses for a portrait during an interview with Reuters in Singapore October 10, 2022. And while OCBC earned nearly half of its operating profit from Singapore, Greater China was the next-largest contributor, followed by Malaysia. She added that OCBC benefited from having both a brick-and-mortar and a strong digital footprint. This has increased attention on OCBC, which has the strongest capital position among Singapore banks. Sanford Bernstein analysts said in a report in June that OCBC had S$4.8 billion that could be used for acquisitions without the need to raise capital.

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