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Still, money market traders are split on the odds of another increase later in the year.FEDWATCH"The 25 basis point rise is a done deal. "The risk is that the Fed, looking at market bullishness, may not want to sound too dovish - they may want to keep the door open for more rate hikes." The MSCI world equity index (.MIWD00000PUS), which tracks shares in 47 countries, was flat. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index (.HSI) was down 0.3% and China's blue chip CSI300 index (.CSI300) was off 0.2%. Positive sentiment had returned to China's market on Tuesday, when the CSI 300 Index snapped a six-day losing streak.

Persons: Luca Paolini, Alison Rose, Nigel Farage's, We're, David Chao, Tom Wilson, Scott Murdoch, Jamie Freed, Kim Coghill Organizations: Fed, Federal, Pictet Asset Management, NatWest, BBC, Lloyds, CSI, ECB, Brent, Thomson Locations: SYDNEY, U.S, Germany, France, Britain, CHINA, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Hong Kong, London, Sydney

SYDNEY, July 26 (Reuters) - Asian markets were trading mostly weaker on Wednesday ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's expected interest rate rise to be delivered later in the day, as investors also weighed the likelihood of a Chinese economic stimulus package. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) was flat, after U.S. stocks ended the previous session with mild gains. The two-year yield , which rises with traders' expectations of higher Fed fund rates, touched 4.8848% compared with a U.S. close of 4.893%. Australia was the only major market across the Asia Pacific region to see shares rise, with the S&P/ASX 200 index (.AXJO) up 0.81%. On Wall Street, the three main indices closed higher, led by gains in shares of technology, materials and communication services companies.

Persons: Karen Jorritsma, Brent, Scott Murdoch, Jamie Freed Organizations: SYDNEY, U.S, U.S . Federal, Nikkei, CSI, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Global, ANZ, RBC Capital Markets, Thomson Locations: U.S ., Asia, Pacific, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Sydney

☆ Asia markets set to fall ahead of Fed rate decision; Australia inflation figures
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Asia-Pacific markets are set to fall as investors brace for the U.S. Federal Reserve's rate decision on Wednesday. The Fed is expected to approve what would be the 11th interest rate increase since March 2022. That would push the upper boundary of the federal funds rate to its highest level since January 2001. In Australia, futures for the S&P/ASX 200 were at 7,313, lower than the index's last close of 7,339.7, ahead of its inflation figures for June. The inflation print comes ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's rate decision on August 1, and will be a key consideration for the central bank.

Organizations: U.S, Reserve Bank, Nikkei Locations: Asia, Pacific, U.S . Federal, Australia, Japan, Chicago, Osaka

☆ Morning Bid: Markets brace for Fed decision, earnings flood
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Investors will be listening carefully to Chair Jerome Powell for indications of whether or not another interest rate hike is in the pipeline. The Fed's communication could set the tone for markets ahead of policy decisions from the European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday and the Bank of Japan (BOJ) on Friday. Reuters GraphicsEuro zone June M3 annual growth and lending data on Wednesday are unlikely to affect markets ahead of the ECB's decision. Chinese stock markets were mostly lower on Wednesday following a steep rally the day before. China's blue-chip CSI300 (.CSI300) index was down 0.3% while the CSI 300 Real Estate index gained 0.2%.

Persons: Brigid Riley, Jerome Powell, HSI, Sonali Desai, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Federal Reserve, Federal, Market, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, ECB, Reuters, Fisher, Union Pacific Corp, eBay, Boeing, Microsoft, Carrefour, Danone, GSK, CSI, CPI, Reserve Bank of Australia, U.S, Fed, Thomson Locations: United States, U.S, Europe, France, Asia, China

☆ Asia shares rally after China pledges economic support steps
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) was 1.2% higher and on course to snap a six-day losing streak. China's property market remains a cause for concern among investors, with stocks and bonds in China's real estate industry sliding to around eight-month lows on Monday amid fears of a cash crunch at two of the country's biggest developers. China will adjust and optimise property policies in a timely manner, in response to "significant changes" in the supply and demand relationship in the property market, state news agency Xinhua said late on Monday. "We believe policymakers may remain cautious about financial risks, though they may provide further policy support to help stabilize the sector." The slowdown may be viewed positively at the Fed, which is keen to see activity cool to lower inflation.

Persons: HSI, Erin Xin, Brent, Ankur Banerjee, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Federal Reserve, Japan's Nikkei, Hong, Saxo Markets, Xinhua, Greater China, HSBC, European Central Bank, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Hong Kong, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Shanghai, China, Greater, United States

☆ Asia markets to mostly rise as China vows support for ailing property market
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The view from the observation deck at Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, China, on Sunday, April 9, 2023. Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets are set to mostly rise on Tuesday after China's Politburo pledged to "adjust and optimize policies in a timely manner" for its ailing property sector. This comes after disappointing economic data last week prompted renewed calls for policy support to bolster growth. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index looks set for a strong rebound after the index lost more than 2% on Monday, dragged mainly by losses in real estate stocks. However, futures for Australia's S&P/ASX 200 point to a lower open, standing at 7,301 compared to it's last close of 7,306.4.

Persons: Qilai Shen Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty Images, China's, Nikkei Locations: Shanghai, China, Getty Images Asia, Pacific, Japan, Chicago, Osaka

☆ Morning Bid: Big Tech litmus test as Fed gather
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The wider blue-chip CSI 300 Index (.CSI300) snapped a six-day losing streak to pop 3% and buying from state banks propped the yuan. Both oil and Treasury yields gave back some of those gains again today, however, with year-on-year crude price declines still tracking more than 21%. There was little ostensible reaction to the formal rebalancing of the Nasdaq 100 (.NDX) index that pared weightings of several of the big caps to reduce "over-concentration". The approach of Wednesday's Fed decision may limit market moves until then. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Mike Dolan, sagged, Dow Jones bluechips, Alphabet's, Clark, Chubb, Paccar, Sherwin, Williams, Archer, Ed Osmond Organizations: Big Tech, Microsoft, Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, ebbing, Nasdaq, Google, Texas, NextEra Energy, Visa, GE, GM, Dow, Verizon, Universal Health, Daniels, Richmond Fed, Philadelphia Fed, Federal, Market, Monetary Fund, Treasury, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S, Hong, Europe, China, Danaher, Corning, Kimberly, Biogen, Dover, Nucor, Midland

☆ Morning Bid: Earnings, China hold spotlight ahead of big rates decisions
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Tom WestbrookEarnings and hope for a turning in China's markets are the prelude to this week's big central bank decisions. The corporate performance and outlook risk disappointing markets that are increasingly priced for a "soft-landing" slowdown in both growth and inflation. In the Asia session investors cheered pledges of support in the readout from an earlier-than-expected Politburo meeting in China -- though not too loudly. The Eurozone bank lending survey is also out on Tuesday and can give a view on the health of borrowing ahead of Fed and European Central Bank meetings, which are both expected to deliver rate hikes. The yen was steady in Asia as investors weigh whether the Bank of Japan will tweak policy on Friday.

Persons: Tom Westbrook, Robert Half, Archer, Daniel Midlands, Morgan Stanley, Dalian Wanda, Sam Holmes Organizations: Microsoft, Google, Visa, General Electric, Dow, chipmaker Texas, Unilever, Shanghai, Traders, Dalian, Fed, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, EssilorLuxottica, Texas Instruments, Verizon, General Motors, ADM, Spotify, Thomson Locations: United States, London, Paris, Asia, China, Hong Kong

☆ Morning Bid: Euro biz ebbs, China property and rate peaks?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Arguments for calling a halt to the credit tightening were strengthened on Monday as early July business surveys for the euro area came in well below forecasts, showing a deepening contraction in overall activity this month. The euro dropped more than half a percent against the dollar as euro government debt yields fell back, with an indecisive weekend election result in Spain adding pressure. With the ongoing slide in manufacturing still the biggest drag and due in large part to China's spluttering post-Covid recovery, further turbulence in China's property markets will only increase the anxiety. For Wall St, the looming Fed decision dominates this week - with a check on U.S. July business surveys topping the data on Monday's calendar in another huge corporate earnings week. U.S. Treasury yields fell back, but the dollar (.DXY) climbed against the euro, yuan and sterling - also hit by disappointing UK business readings for July.

Persons: Mike Dolan, China's, readouts, Dow Jones, Brown Organizations: Futures, Bank of, Dalian, Japan's Nikkei, Tech, Microsoft, Dow, Nasdaq, Treasury, Chicago Fed, Whirlpool, Packaging Corp of America, Cadence, Trade Organization, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S, China, Bank of Japan, Spain, United States, Alexandria, Geneva

☆ Asia markets set for mixed open ahead of private surveys on economic activity
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific markets are set to open mixed on Monday ahead of a slew of economic data from around the region, including inflation numbers from Malaysia and Singapore. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 looks to rebound from a weekly loss last week, with the futures contract in Chicago at 32,655, and its counterpart in Osaka at 32,700 against its last close at 32,304.25. Japan will also see private surveys for its purchasing managers index in July. In Australia, futures for the S&P/ASX 200 were at 7,300, lower than the index's last close of 7,313.9, as the country saw flash estimates for its composite PMI fall into contraction territory for the first time since March. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index looks set to start the week lower, with futures at 18,953 compared to the HSI's last close of 19,560.57.

Persons: Hong Organizations: Nikkei Locations: Asia, Pacific, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Chicago, Osaka, Australia

☆ Asian shares subdued after US tech falters, dollar and yields hold gains
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) slipped 0.5%, heading for a weekly loss of 1.8%. Shares of Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC (2330.TW) slumped 3.3%, after the world's largest contract chipmaker flagged a 10% drop in 2023 sales. The U.S. dollar index was little changed at 100.78, after advancing 0.5% overnight, the biggest one-day gain since mid-May. The Australian dollar gave up almost all of its gains made after a strong local jobs data release to hover below 68 cents. Brent crude futures were up 0.8% at $80.27 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 0.8% to $76.25.

Persons: BOJ, TSMC, HSI, Wanda, Betty Wang, Stella Qiu, Lincoln Organizations: Netflix, Fed, ECB, Tesla, Treasury, Nasdaq, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, Japan's Nikkei, HK, ANZ, U.S, Australian, TD Securities, Brent, . West Texas, Thomson Locations: SYDNEY, U.S, Asia, Pacific, Japan, China, Beijing, Europe

☆ Asian shares fall after US tech falters, dollar and yields hold gains
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) dropped 0.5%, heading for a weekly loss of 1.8%. China's bluechips (.CSI300) dipped 0.2% while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index (.HSI) bucked the trend with a gain of 0.4%. The onshore yuan was 0.2% higher at 7.1674 per dollar after the central bank set a much stronger guidance rate than expected. The U.S. dollar index was little changed at 100.78, after advancing 0.5% overnight, the biggest one-day gain since mid-May. The Australian dollar gave up almost all of its gains made after a strong local jobs data release to hover below 68 cents.

Persons: BOJ, Tesla, TSMC, China's, Wanda, Tony Sycamore, Stella Qiu, Lincoln Organizations: Netflix, Fed, ECB, Treasury, U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan, Japan's Nikkei, Authorities, Nasdaq, Tesla, IG, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, Federal Reserve, U.S, Australian, European Central Bank, TD Securities, Brent, . West Texas, Thomson Locations: SYDNEY, U.S, Asia, Pacific, Japan

☆ Asia markets to mostly fall as Japan's inflation rises slightly in June
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Asia-Pacific markets are set to mostly fall on Friday as investors look to Japan's consumer price index figures for June. The country's core inflation rate - which strips out costs of fresh food - came in at 3.3%, in line with expectations of economists polled by Reuters. This is slightly higher than May's figure of 3.2%, and also above the Bank of Japan's 2% target. The inflation print will give clues to the Bank of Japan's moves when it meets next week for its rate decision. In contrast, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index looks set to open higher, with futures at 18,935 compared to the HSI's last close of 18,928.02.

Persons: Kazuo Ueda Organizations: Reuters, Bank of Japan's, Bank of, Nikkei Locations: Asia, Pacific, Chicago, Osaka, Australia

☆ Asia markets to mostly fall ahead of key economic data out of China, Australia and Japan
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

People ride an escalator at a shopping mall in Beijing on the second day of a holiday in late April 2023. Asia-Pacific markets are set to mostly fall on Thursday ahead of a slew of economic data across the region. Investors will be closely watching China's one and five-year loan prime rates to see if the country's government will attempt to spur growth by cutting rates, days after China's second quarter GDP came in below expectations. Japan is also set to release its trade figures for June, with economists polled by Reuters expecting its trade deficit to come in at 46.7 billion yen ($334.4 million), a sharp fall compared to last month's 1.38 trillion yen. In Australia, futures for the S&P/ASX 200 are at 7,286, lower than the index's last close of 7,323.7, and ahead of its unemployment figures for June.

Organizations: Reuters, Futures, Nikkei Locations: Beijing, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Chicago, Osaka, Australia

☆ Asia stocks gain; US futures slip after Netflix, Tesla earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

SINGAPORE, July 20 (Reuters) - Asian stocks rose and sterling stumbled on Thursday as cooling UK inflation lifted risk appetite ahead of central bank meetings next week, while disappointing earnings results from Netflix and Tesla pushed U.S. futures lower. The Bank of England is due to meet in the first week of August but before that central bank meetings in Japan, Europe and the United States will likely grab investors' attention. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 index rose modestly, with the blue-chip Dow registering its eighth straight day of gains. But futures fell in Asian trade, with E-mini futures for the S&P 500 0.15% lower and Nasdaq futures down 0.44%after earnings from streaming giant Netflix and EV maker Tesla. In commodities, Chicago wheat futures rose 1.4% to hit a three-week high on growing expectations that an attack on Ukrainian ports after Russia's withdrawal from a Black Sea export deal would have a longer-term impact on global supply.

Persons: Tesla, Hong, HSI, Sterling, Kazuo Ueda, Saira Malik, Malik, Elon Musk, TSMC, Brent, Ankur Banerjee, Sam Holmes Organizations: Netflix, Japan's Nikkei, Bank of England, Traders, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, Federal, U.S, U.S . Federal, Dow Jones Industrial, Dow, Nasdaq, Tesla, Wall, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Asia, Pacific, Japan, China, Shanghai, Europe, United States, U.S ., Singapore

☆ Asia stocks split as US-China outlooks diverge
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Overnight the S&P 500 (.SPX) rose 0.7% to hit a three-month high, with results propelling bank shares. Morgan Stanley (MS.N), Bank of America (BAC.N) and Bank of New York Mellon (BK.N) shares rose sharply on strong results and an upbeat outlook overnight. Microsoft (MSFT.O) shares rose 4% - adding $100 billion in market value - after announcing charges for artificial intelligence features in its office software. British inflation data due at 0600 GMT is the next major calendar item and traders are expecting a fall to a still-uncomfortable 8.2% annual pace. "While annual headline inflation fell sharply, which is helpful for inflation expectations, the details suggest persistence in non-tradables inflation."

Persons: Seng, SYDNEY, Dovish, Tapas Strickland, Morgan Stanley, Klaas Knot, Brian Daingerfield, Treasuries, Brent, Lincoln Organizations: Companies, Microsoft, U.S, European Central Bank, New Zealand, Japan's Nikkei, Headline U.S, National Australia Bank, Bank of America, Bank of New York Mellon, NatWest Markets, Bank of, Fed, ECB, ANZ, Thomson Locations: China, Japan, Australia, Asia, Pacific, Hong Kong, South Korea, Sydney, Atlanta, U.S, Europe, New York, New Zealand, Bank of England

☆ Morning Bid: Britain's CPI the next frontier
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A tentative rally in gilts is poised to extend and sterling could probably say goodbye to the strong side of $1.30. Forecasts put Britain's annual CPI falling to 8.2% in June and core holding at 7.1%. New Zealand sounded a warning in the Asia session, with food prices keeping annual headline inflation higher than expected at 6%. Netflix (NFLX.O), Tesla (TSLA.O) and Goldman Sachs (GS.N) report results later in the day. Key developments that could influence markets on Wednesday:Data: British CPI, Euro zone final CPI, U.S. housing startsSpeakers: Bank of England's Dave RamsdenEarnings: Netflix, Tesla, Goldman SachsReporting by Tom Westbrook; Editing by Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tom Westbrook, BoE, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bank of England's Dave Ramsden, Muralikumar Organizations: Bank of, Traders, U.S, Netflix, Microsoft, CPI, Bank of England's, Tesla, Thomson Locations: U.S, Canada, gilts, New Zealand, Asia

☆ Asia markets set for mixed open as investors digest Wall Street's strong earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Asia-Pacific markets are set for a mixed open on Wednesday as investors digest better-than-expected results from Wall Street. Overall, the earnings season was off to a strong start. In Australia, futures for the S&P/ASX 200 were at 7,278, lower than the index's last close of 7,283.8. Australia will see its unemployment figures out Thursday, seen as critical to the central bank on whether it will continue to hike rates. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index looks set to continue sliding after falling more than 2% on Tuesday, with futures at 18,898 compared to the HSI's last close of 19,015.72.

Organizations: Wall, Nikkei, Reuters Locations: Asia, Pacific, Japan, Chicago, Osaka, Australia

☆ Asia shares slip as China casts a pall, dollar's slide abates
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Selena Li | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] FILE PHOTO-People walk past a screen displaying the Hang Seng stock index outside Hong Kong Exchanges, in Hong Kong, China July 19, 2022. Investors are waiting for clearer signs that inflation is cooling, with the readings on U.S. retail sales and industrial production to be released later on Tuesday. Economists reckon retail sales in June will show a 0.5% rise from May, strong enough to keep the soft landing scenario without rekindling worries about inflation. The Fed, European Central Bank and Bank of Japan are holding policy reviews next week. The U.S. dollar index dipped slightly to 99.71 in Asia trade, having struck its lowest since April 2022 on Friday.

Persons: Lam, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Gary Ng, Ng, Brent, Selena Li, Simon Cameron, Moore, Sam Holmes Organizations: Hong Kong Exchanges, REUTERS, Federal, Bank of America, Natixis Corporate, Investment Bank, The, European Central Bank and Bank of Japan, Japan's Nikkei, ECB, Fed, Bank of England, U.S, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Asia, Pacific, Japan

☆ Asia markets set for mixed open as investors look to Australia's central bank minutes
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific markets are headed for a mixed open on Tuesday as investors await the release of minutes of the Reserve Bank of Australia's July policy meeting. In Australia, futures for the S&P/ASX 200 were at 7,239, lower than the index's last close of 7,298.5. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 could start its week either way based on futures data as it comes back from a holiday , with the futures contract in Chicago at 32,405, and its counterpart in Osaka at 32,340 against its last close at 32,340. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index also resumes trading today after trading sessions were suspended on Monday due to a warning for Typhoon Talim. Hang Seng futures are at 19,450, compared to the HSI's last close of 19,413.78.

Persons: Talim, Hang Organizations: Reserve Bank of Australia's, Nikkei Locations: Asia, Pacific, Australia, Japan, Chicago, Osaka

☆ Morning Bid: Retail, housing and banks test jaunty July
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets from Mike DolanThe benign July investment environment gets tested on Tuesday by updates on U.S. retail sales and housing while the corporate earnings season kicks back into gear with another sweep of bank reports. Consensus forecasts are for a modest rise in retail sales and industrial output last month, while the NAHB homebuilder index is expected to have ticked higher in July to underline the recent housing market recovery more broadly. U.S. stock futures were flat going into the open and 10-year Treasury yields ticked down to their lowest level of the month so far. Crude oil prices tried to find their footing after Monday's sharp drop and continue to sustain year-on-year losses of more than 25%. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Mike Dolan, Wall, HSI, Evergrande, Goldman Sachs, Janet Yellen, Morgan Stanley, Lockheed Martin, Charles Schwab, JB Hunt, Michael Barr, Christina Fincher Organizations: New York Federal, Bank of America, Bank of New, Mellon, Novartis, Sandoz, Bank of New York Mellon, Lockheed, PNC Financial, Synchrony, JB, Federal, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S, Hong Kong, Treasuries, Canada

☆ Asia markets set to fall ahead of key economic data from China
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

SHANGHAI, CHINA - MARCH 01: Skyscrapers stand at the Pudong Lujiazui Financial District on March 1, 2022 in Shanghai, China. Asia-Pacific markets are set to fall on Monday as investors look ahead to key economic data out of China, including gross domestic product figures for the second quarter and industrial output numbers for June. In Australia, futures for the S&P/ASX 200 were at 7,264, lower than the index's last close of 7,303.1. The country will release unemployment figures later this week, which will give clues to the Reserve Bank of Australia's rate decisions. Elsewhere, Japan's markets are closed for a holiday, but more trade data will be released from South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia.

Organizations: Pudong Lujiazui Financial, Beijing, Reserve Bank Locations: SHANGHAI, CHINA, Shanghai, China, Asia, Pacific, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia

☆ Cathay Pacific expects up to $576 mln first-half profit as demand jumps
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Cathay Pacific booked record losses in the last three years as it parked much of its fleet during the pandemic amid COVID-related flight cancellations and drastic headcount cuts. As a result, its passenger load factor was 87.2% for the first half, compared with 59.2% last year. "Turning to July and August, on the travel side the outlook is encouraging," Cathay Pacific said. For fiscal 2023, Cathay Pacific is expected to log profit of HK$3.92 billion, according to a Refinitiv estimate, a huge swing from a HK$7.16 billion loss last year. ($1 = 7.8146 Hong Kong dollars)Reporting by Sameer Manekar in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Donny Kwok in Hong Kong; Editing by Sohini Goswami, Nivedita Bhattacharjee, Tom Hogue and Jan HarveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Hong, Sameer Manekar, Donny Kwok, Sohini Goswami, Nivedita Bhattacharjee, Tom Hogue, Jan Harvey Organizations: Cathay Pacific Airways, HK, Cathay Pacific, Cathay, Hong Kong, Association, Airlines, Hong Kong's, Thomson Locations: North America, Australasia, Hong Kong, Air China, Cathay Pacific, Bengaluru

☆ Asia stocks set for best week of 2023, dollar reels on dovish Fed bets
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Gold was poised for its best week in three months as the dollar floundered, while crude oil rose to the highest in nearly three months. U.S. E-mini equity futures also pointed to a 0.16% lower restart for the S&P 500 (.SPX), after the index rallied 0.85% overnight. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index - which measures the currency against six major peers - edged about 0.1% lower to touch 99.637 for the first time since April of last year. "The dollar index can probably trade down toward 98 over the coming weeks without too many problems," said IG's Sycamore. It has rallied nearly 2% this week.

Persons: Gold, we've, Tony Sycamore, HSI, Korea's, Michele Bullock, Kevin Buckland, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Federal, Treasury, IG, Japan's Nikkei, U.S, Bank of Japan's, Reserve Bank of Australia, Brent, . West Texas, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Sydney, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Australia

The Tokyo Tower, left, and commercial and residential buildings at night in Minato district of Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Photographer: Akio Kon/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets are set to rise on Friday after more inflation data out from the U.S. came in softer than expected, raising optimism that inflation could come down without weakening the labor market. "Most stock and bond index prices rose today as economic data indicates inflation has fallen quickly and the labor market remains strong," Bill Merz, senior investment director at U.S. Bank Wealth Management. June's producer price index rose less than anticipated, climbing 0.1% year on year, compared to the 0.2% expected by economists polled by Dow Jones. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index also looks set to continue its rally after surging more than 2.5% on Thursday.

Persons: Akio Kon, Bill Merz, Dow Jones Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty Images, U.S, Bank Wealth Management, Core PPI, Nikkei Locations: Tokyo, Minato district, Japan, Getty Images Asia, Pacific, U.S, Chicago, Osaka, Australia

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