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It's likely that workers at the Chevron (CVX.N) plants will join their Woodside colleagues in authorising industrial action, which could then be launched with a seven-day notice period. The worst-case scenario is that industrial action is prolonged and forces a total shutdown of the three plants. The most likely outcome for the time being remains limited industrial action, ongoing negotiations and an eventual settlement that sees the unions get some of what they want, most likely in exchange for some longer-term guarantees. LNG imports by Asia, Europe vs spot Asia priceASIA IMPORTS RISINGAsia's imports for August are expected to lift to 22.86 million metric tons, according to data compiled by commodity analysts Kpler. This would be up from 21.61 million metric tons in July and would be the strongest month since January's 23.37 million.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, It's, Europe's, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Woodside Energy, West, Offshore Alliance, Chevron, Woodside, Kpler, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Rights LAUNCESTON, Australia, Woodside, Western Australia, Asia, Europe, North Asia, ASIA, Japan, South Korea, South, Russia, Ukraine

An aerial view shows a crude oil tanker at an oil terminal off Waidiao island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China January 4, 2023. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 86 cents, or 1.1%, to settle at $81.25 a barrel, and Brent crude futures rose 68 cents, or 0.8%, to settle at $84.80 a barrel. Those concerns, spurred on by output cuts from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, helped oil prices gain for seven straight weeks since June. Higher borrowing costs can impede economic growth and in turn reduce overall demand for oil. Hatfield said he expects demand to hold up in China despite its slowing economy and forecast oil prices would trade between $75 to $90 a barrel over the coming months.

Persons: Brent, WTI, Rob Haworth, Haworth, Jay Hatfield, Hatfield, Shariq Khan, Natalie Grover, Paul Carsten, Sudarshan, Shri Navaratnam, Jamie Freed, Conor Humphries, Jane Merriman, Barbara Lewis, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, West Texas, Brent, Organization of, Petroleum, U.S, Bank Asset Management, U.S . Federal Reserve, Infrastructure Capital Management, Thomson Locations: Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China, BENGALURU

An aerial view shows a crude oil tanker at an oil terminal off Waidiao island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China January 4, 2023. "Prices are likely to remain range-bound for now," Haworth said, adding that demand is in question for investors worried by the weak data from China. Higher borrowing costs can impede economic growth and in turn reduce overall demand for oil. Oil benchmarks were further depressed by seasonal demand weakness heading into the autumn, said Jay Hatfield, CEO of Infrastructure Capital Management. Hatfield said he expects demand to hold up in China despite its slowing economy and forecast oil prices would trade between $75 to $90 a barrel over the coming months.

Persons: Brent, Rob Haworth, Haworth, Jay Hatfield, Hatfield, WTI, Natalie Grover, Paul Carsten, Sudarshan, Shri Navaratnam, Jamie Freed, Conor Humphries, Jane Merriman, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . West Texas, U.S, Bank Asset Management, U.S . Federal Reserve, Infrastructure Capital Management, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China, BENGALURU, U.S, London, Singapore

A man walks past a No Entry traffic sign near the headquarters of China Evergrande Group in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China September 26, 2021. Evergrande's offshore debt restructuring involves a total of $31.7 billion, which include bonds, collaterals and repurchase obligations. Evergrande announced an offshore debt restructuring plan in March, expecting it to facilitate a gradual resumption of operations and generation of cash flow. Trading in China Evergrande shares has been suspended since March 2022. Shares of Evergrande Services (6666.HK) plunged as much as 20% on Friday, while China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group (0708.HK) lost as much as 17%.

Persons: Aly, Evergrande, Morgan Stanley, HSI, Clare Jim, Jonathan Stempel, Dietrich Knauth, Manya, Sumeet Chatterjee, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: China Evergrande Group, REUTERS, HONG KONG, China Evergrande, HK, Longfor, Tianji Holdings, British Virgin Islands, Co ., Evergrande Services, Energy Vehicle Group, Manya Saini, Thomson Locations: China, Shenzhen, Guangdong province, Asia, HONG, U.S, United States, Beijing, Manhattan, Hong Kong, Cayman Islands, British Virgin, Land, New York, Trading, Bengaluru

An aerial view shows a crude oil tanker at an oil terminal off Waidiao island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China January 4, 2023. China Daily via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies United States of America FollowSINGAPORE, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Oil prices looked set to snap a seven-week winning streak on Friday as concerns about China's slowing economic growth and the possibility of more U.S. interest rate hikes outweighed signs of tightening supply. Investors fret that higher borrowing costs could impede economic growth and in turn reduce overall demand, including for oil. Data released this week also showed that U.S. crude oil inventories fell by nearly 6 million barrels last week on strong exports and refining run rates. Despite recent economic weaknesses, China made a rare draw on crude oil inventories in July, the first time in 33 months it has dipped into storage.

Persons: Brent, Sudarshan Varadhan, Shri Navaratnam, Jamie Freed Organizations: REUTERS, Companies United, U.S . West Texas, U.S, Federal, U.S . Labor Department, Organization of, Petroleum, ANZ Research, ANZ, Thomson Locations: Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China, Companies United States, America, SINGAPORE, U.S

A man walks past a No Entry traffic sign near the headquarters of China Evergrande Group in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China September 26, 2021. The developer's offshore debt restructuring involves a total of $31.7 billion, which include bonds, collaterals and repurchase obligationsThe sources declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. DEBT RESTRUCTURINGEvergrande announced an offshore debt restructuring plan in March, expecting it to facilitate a gradual resumption of operations and generation of cash flow. Trading in China Evergrande shares has been suspended since March 2022. Shares of Evergrande Services (6666.HK) plunged more than 12%, while China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group (0708.HK) dropped 8% on Friday.

Persons: Aly, Evergrande, Morgan Stanley, Hong, Clare Jim, Jonathan Stempel, Dietrich Knauth, Manya, Sumeet Chatterjee, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: China Evergrande Group, REUTERS, HONG KONG, China Evergrande, HK, British Virgin, Tianji Holdings, British Virgin Islands, Co ., Evergrande Services, Energy Vehicle Group, Manya Saini, Thomson Locations: China, Shenzhen, Guangdong province, HONG, U.S, United States, Hong Kong, British, Manhattan, Cayman Islands, British Virgin, Land, New York, Trading, Bengaluru

An aerial view shows a crude oil tanker at an oil terminal off Waidiao island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China January 4, 2023. The U.S. Federal Reserve's focus on containing inflation amid stronger-than-expected economic data was keeping a lid on oil prices. That report followed similarly upbeat economic data earlier in the week, including U.S. retail sales, which all suggested the Fed may have to stick with higher rates for longer. Adding to the concerns, a recent batch of economic data from China, the world's second largest oil consumer, has highlighted the rapid loss in economic momentum there since the second quarter. However, China made a rare draw on crude oil inventories in July, the first time in 33 months it has dipped into storage.

Persons: Brent, Sudarshan, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S . West Texas, U.S, Federal, U.S . Labor Department, Thomson Locations: Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China

"The application is a normal procedure for the offshore debt restructuring and does not involve (a) bankruptcy petition," it said in the filing, adding it is pushing forward with its offshore debt restructuring. Evergrande's offshore debt restructuring involves a total of $31.7 billion, which include bonds, collateral and repurchase obligations. A man walks past a No Entry traffic sign near the headquarters of China Evergrande Group in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China September 26, 2021. China's economic and property woes and the absence of concrete stimulus steps have sent a chill through global markets. "The China property sector is like a black hole, so many developers have been dragged into it since two years ago after Evergrande," said Winner Zone Asset Management CEO and CIO Alan Luk.

Persons: Evergrande, Aly, Nomura, HSI, Alan Luk, Clare Jim, Jonathan Stempel, Dietrich Knauth, Manya, Sumeet Chatterjee, Shri Navaratnam, Kim Coghill Organizations: HONG KONG, China Evergrande, HK, U.S, Hong, British Virgin Islands, China Evergrande Group, REUTERS, Zhongrong International Trust Co, Longfor, Asset Management, Manya Saini, Thomson Locations: China, Asia, HONG, U.S, United States, Hong Kong, British Virgin, New York, Shenzhen, Guangdong province, Beijing, Bengaluru

SHANGHAI/HONG KONG, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Faced with a liquidity crisis, Zhongzhi Enterprise Group will conduct a debt restructuring, the Chinese asset manager has told investors, as a deepening property sector downturn raises fears about spillover risks to the broader financial sector. Beijing-based Zhongzhi, which has sizable exposure to real estate, has stopped payment to investors in all investment products, its management told investors in a meeting on Wednesday, a video seen by Reuters showed. Zhongzhi's financial trouble is the latest challenge for Chinese authorities as they battle to contain a worsening property sector crisis and revive a faltering recovery in the world's second-largest economy. Zhongzhi has hired one of the Big Four accounting firms to conduct a comprehensive audit of the company, and is seeking strategic investors, its management told investors in Wednesday's meeting. Anxious retail investors are bombarding listed companies with questions about their exposure to Zhongrong after missed payments by the trust company triggered fears of contagion across the country's financial system.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Zhongzhi, Lehman, Evergrande, Jason Xue, Clare Jim, Sumeet Chatterjee, Jacqueline Wong, Jamie Freed Organizations: Zhongzhi Enterprise, Reuters, Big, International Trust Co, Citigroup, Zhongrong International Trust, China Evergrande, HK, Energy Vehicle Group, Evergrande, Shanghai, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, HONG KONG, Beijing, Wednesday's, China, China's, Shanghai, Hong Kong

Anxious retail investors are bombarding listed companies with questions about their exposure to Zhongrong, a subsidiary of Zhongzhi, after missed payments by the trust company triggered fears of wider contagion. Zhongzhi's financial trouble is the latest challenge for Chinese authorities as they battle to contain a worsening property sector crisis and revive a faltering recovery in the world's second-largest economy. The Wednesday's meeting was held after Zhongrong International Trust Co, a leading trust company controlled by Zhongzhi, missed payments on dozens of investment products since the end of July, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing sources. PROPERTY CRISISThe liquidity stress facing Zhongzhi highlights the ripple effect of an unprecedented debt crisis in China's property sector, which accounts for roughly a quarter of the economy that has rapidly lost momentum in recent months. Evergrande said late on Wednesday it would delay the voting date and scheme meetings with creditors for its offshore debt restructuring plan to Aug 23 and Aug 28, respectively, to give creditors more time to consider the terms.

Persons: Lehman, Morgan Stanley, Zhongzhi, Aly, Evergrande, Jason Xue, Clare Jim, Sumeet Chatterjee, Jacqueline Wong, Jamie Freed Organizations: Zhongzhi Enterprise Group, Reuters, Citigroup, Big, Workers, REUTERS, International Trust Co, Zhongrong International Trust, China Evergrande, HK, Energy Vehicle Group, Evergrande, Shanghai, Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, HONG KONG, Beijing, China's, Zhongzhi, China, Wednesday's, Shanghai, Hong Kong

☆ Japan exports fall for first time since 2021, stoking concerns about outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Ministry of Finance (MOF) data out Thursday showed Japanese exports fell 0.3% in July year-on-year, compared with a 0.8% decrease expected by economists in a Reuters poll. However, manufacturers are braced for core orders to slide during the current quarter, partly due to the impact from weak offshore demand. Japan exports fall for first time since 2021However, the spectre of a sharper global slowdown and faltering growth in its major market China have raised concerns about the outlook. GLOOMY OUTLOOK TO KEEP BOJ ON HOLD"The Bank of Japan must be aware of downside risks from the global economy. Separate data showed Japan's core machinery orders rose 2.7% in June from the previous month.

Persons: Toru Hanai, Takeshi Minami, Minami, Marcel Thieliant, Tetsushi, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Ministry of Finance, Norinchukin Research, Bank of Japan, Manufacturers, Cabinet, Capital Economics, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO, China, Europe, America, Asia

☆ Yen treads on intervention zone; kiwi, Aussie dlrs hit by China woes
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Banknotes of Japanese yen are seen in this illustration picture taken September 22, 2022. The Aussie bottomed at $0.6440, while the kiwi slid to a low of $0.5939, ahead of a rate decision by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand later on Wednesday. "But where we are at the moment, I think the jawboning will continue but I'm not convinced that we'll see intervention." The greenback predictably rode Treasury yields higher, with the dollar index ekeing out a slight gain to 103.22. The euro was little changed at $1.0902, while sterling dipped 0.05% to $1.2696, ahead of UK inflation data due later on Wednesday.

Persons: Florence Lo, Aninda Mitra, Shunichi Suzuki, Ray Attrill, I'm, Rae Wee, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, New, Reserve Bank of New, People's Bank of, BNY Mellon Investment Management, Finance, National Australia Bank, Federal Reserve, Treasury, Thomson Locations: Asia, Beijing, China, New Zealand, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, People's Bank of China, Japan

☆ China's new home prices fall for first time this year, dimming economic outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The 0.2% fall month-on-month came after June's flat reading, according to Reuters calculations based on National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data. The decline in home prices comes amid a worsening debt crisis at major developers, sliding property investment and home sales. Among 70 cities, 49 saw a fall in new home prices month-on-month in July from 38 cities the previous month. However, most economists expect the downside trend in home sales and prices to persist for while. "Without additional major policy easing and/or fiscal support, property sales and investment may weaken further or stay at the bottom for longer than assumed in our baseline," said Wang.

Persons: Jason Lee, Goldman Sachs, Wang Tao, Wang, Qiaoyi Li, Liangping Gao, Ryan Woo, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, National Bureau of Statistics, Goldman, Asia Economics, China, UBS Investment Bank, Thomson Locations: Wangjing, China, BEIJING, Zhengzhou, Xian, Fuzhou

Nomura analysts were equally downbeat on China's economic outlook. Most economists see downside risk to Chinese growth but they don't expect a recession. It was the slowest growth since December 2022, and shows just how much of a challenge authorities face as they try to make consumption the key driver of future economic growth. MORE STIMULUSAsian stocks stalled at one-month lows, the yuan hit a 9-month nadir while the dollar held broadly firm after the weak Chinese data and latest policy easing measures. But we do need to lower our expectations for China's growth."

Persons: Julian Evans, Pritchard, Nomura, Nie Wen, Robert Carnell, Liangping Gao, Albee Zhang, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: National Bureau of Statistics, Capital Economics, Retail, Hwabao Trust, Investment, Reuters, ING, NBS, Nomura, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Beijing, China, Asia, Pacific

Asian stocks were down and the dollar held firm after the weak Chinese data and latest policy easing measures. Investment in the property sector tumbled 8.5% year-on-year in January-July, after shrinking 7.9% in January-June, extending its fall for the 17th consecutive month. Demand for the property sector, once a pillar of economic growth, has remained weak in recent weeks. The nationwide survey-based jobless rate climbed slightly to 5.3% from 5.2% in June. After the youth jobless rate rose to record high of 21.3% in June, NBS spokesperson Fu Linghui said at Tuesday's press conference the bureau will suspend publishing the survey-based jobless rate for the 16-24 years old from August, adding China will further improve its employment statistics.

Persons: Julian Evans, Pritchard, Bruce Pang, Jones Lang Lasalle, Fu Linghui, Albee Zhang, Liangping Gao, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: National Bureau of Statistics, Retail, Capital Economics, Jones, Investment, Communist Party, NBS, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China

That's down from 13% of Nike's women's team products which sold out during the same tournament in 2019, the data shows. For that reason, marketers must bear in mind the risk that the growing fanbase could see their support for women's soccer as disingenuous. To recognize the impact grassroots teams have in creating excitement about women's soccer, Adobe's ad also featured London-based community women's soccer clubs Peaches FC and Baesianz FC, said Sabina Strasser, Senior Director, Brand Experience EMEA at Adobe. Sporting goods retailer Fanatics has more than 475 U.S. women's team products for sale this year, up from about 175 in 2019, the company told Reuters. As of Monday, the generic Adidas Women's World Cup soccer ball was among its top sellers in FIFA World Cup Gear.

Persons: Sam Kerr, Carl Recine, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Grace Geyoro, Martine Rose, Nike's, Jan Runau, Yvonne Henderson, Bob Dorfman, England's Lionesses, Mary Earps, Bjorn Gulden, Sabina Strasser, Amy Tennery, Sheila Dang, Kate Masters, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Soccer, Nike FC, REUTERS, Adidas, misstep, U.S, Nike, FIFA, Sporting Goods, Women's, Asisat, United States Women’s, Pricing, In, Pinnacle Advertising, Germany's Bayern Munich women's, Peaches FC, Baesianz FC, Brand, EMEA, Adobe, Sporting, Reuters, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, AUCKLAND, New Zealand, DICK's, U.S, French, Barcelona, England, Sweden, Spain, Tuesday's, Germany, London, Auckland, Dallas , Texas, New York

☆ US watchdog to announce plans to regulate 'surveillance industry'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Signage is seen at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 14, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File PhotoAug 15 (Reuters) - The top U.S. agency for consumer financial protection will announce plans at the White House on Tuesday to regulate companies that track and sell people's personal data, part of the Biden administration's widening scrutiny of that industry's privacy practices, officials said. "The CFPB will be taking steps to ensure that modern-day data brokers in the surveillance industry know that they cannot engage in illegal collection and sharing of our data," he said in a statement. President Joe Biden last year called on the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help protect the data privacy of women seeking reproductive healthcare who may face law enforcement action in some states. The CFPB in March opened a public inquiry into the conduct of companies like credit bureaus and background screening firms.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Biden, Rohit Chopra, Joe Biden, CFPB, Douglas Gillison Organizations: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Washington , D.C, REUTERS, U.S, White, U.S . Consumer Financial, Bureau, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Fair, Thomson Locations: Washington ,, Idaho

Japanese Yen and U.S. dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 10, 2023. The dollar hit a one-month high against a basket of major currencies, before steadying, as investors sought a safe haven on concerns about China's economy. Japan's currency weakened to as low as 145.22 per dollar in early Asian hours, its lowest since Nov. 10, before quickly reversing course in a volatile start to the week. Japan intervened in currency markets last September when the dollar rose past 145 yen, prompting the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to buy the yen and push the pair back to around 140 yen. With the yen loitering around the 145 level again, traders expect Japanese officials to start warning of intervention soon as they did in June.

Persons: Yen, Dado Ruvic, Charu Chanana, Chris Turner, Russia's rouble, Sterling, Joey Chew, Ankur Banerjee, Harry Robertson, Shri Navaratnam, Lincoln, Susan Fenton Organizations: REUTERS, Bank of Japan, Ministry of Finance, Saxo Markets, International Trust Co, ING, Australian, Federal, Asia FX, HSBC, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Japan, United States, China, U.S, Russian, Ukraine, Asia, Singapore, London

☆ Shanghai Exchange urges bankers to closely vet Chinese medical firms IPOs - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A men wearing a mask walk at the Shanghai Stock Exchange building at the Pudong financial district in Shanghai, China, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song/File PhotoSHANGHAI, Aug 14 (Reuters) - The Shanghai Stock Exchange has urged bankers to pay close attention to the marketing practices of Chinese drug and medical equipment makers seeking initial public offerings (IPOs) amid an escalating anti-corruption drive in the sector, sources said. The Shanghai exchange declined to comment. Bankers should carefully examine if the company, controlling shareholders or actual controllers conduct bribery in marketing activities, the exchange said in the publication. The bourse also asked bankers to check the authenticity of the marketing expenses and urged companies to fully disclose information in their prospectus.

Persons: Aly, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Shanghai Stock Exchange, REUTERS, bourse, Reuters, Bankers, Shanghai, Thomson Locations: Pudong, Shanghai, China

☆ Country Garden shares dive after bond trading halted, fans further economic distress
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Clare Jim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The company logo of Chinese developer Country Garden is pictured at the Shanghai Country Garden Center in Shanghai, China August 9, 2023. Shares of Country Garden dived 16.3% to HK$0.82 by noon, dragging down the Hang Seng Mainland Properties Index (.HSMPI) which dropped 3.9%. According to company registry portal Qichacha, a services unit of Country Garden offloaded its 51% stake in a Wuhan-based network technology company, while chief strategic officer of Country Garden Services also resigned from the firm's chairman. Country Garden Services did not immediately respond to request for comment. In September alone, Country Garden may need to repay more than 9 billion yuan ($1.25 billion) worth of onshore bonds.

Persons: Aly, HONG KONG, Dickie Wong, Wong, Longfor, Clare Jim, Yuhan Lin, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Shanghai Country Garden, REUTERS, HK, China Evergrande, Mainland Properties, Reuters, Garden Services, Garden, Country Garden Services, Kingston Securities, State, Longfor, Seazen, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, HONG, HK, Wuhan, Hong Kong, Beijing

☆ Country Garden shares slump to record low after onshore bond trading halted
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Clare Jim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The company logo of Chinese developer Country Garden is pictured at the Shanghai Country Garden Center in Shanghai, China August 9, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File PhotoHONG KONG, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Chinese property giant Country Garden's (2007.HK) shares plunged to fresh record low on Monday, while its offshore bonds were also pressured after its onshore paper was suspended from trading as its debt problems deepened. Shares of Country Garden shed more than 15% to HK$0.83 in morning trading, dragging down the Hang Seng Mainland Properties Index (.HSMPI) which dropped 4.6%. Country Garden's offshore bonds also eased, with a few trading at the lower end of 6 cents on the dollar. Once considered a more financially sound developer, Country Garden's woes added to spillover concerns across a property market already grappling with weak buyer demand.

Persons: Aly, HONG KONG, Clare Jim, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Shanghai Country Garden, REUTERS, HK, Mainland Properties, Finance, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, HONG, Hong Kong

☆ Yen breaks above 145/dlr level in choppy trading, dollar firm
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Japanese Yen and U.S. dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 10, 2023. The Japanese yen weakened to as low as 145.22 per dollar in early Asian hours, its lowest since Nov. 10 2022 before quickly reversing course. Japan intervened in currency markets last September when the dollar rose past 145 yen, which prompted the Ministry of Finance to buy the yen and push the pair back to around 140 yen. With the yen loitering around that level again, traders expect Japanese officials to start warning of intervention soon. While sentiment towards China is down, this week's high-frequency China data may only need a small beat to cause a strong upside reaction in China proxies, said Pepperstone's Head of Research Chris Weston.

Persons: Yen, Dado Ruvic, warily, Chris Weston, Ankur Banerjee, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, United, Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan, Ministry of Finance, Saxo Markets, Treasury, Federal, ANZ, Fed, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Japan, United States, China, Singapore

☆ Asia suffers China blues; dollar hits 2023 top on yen
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) eased another 1.1%, after shedding 2% last week. Japan's Nikkei (.N225) was off 0.5%, even as exporters drew support from the weak yen. The sour mood saw S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures shed early gains to each ease 0.1%. That rise juiced the dollar against the low-yielding yen, lifting it as far as 145.22 and a peak not seen since November last year. The rise in the dollar and yields was weighing on gold at $1,911 an ounce , having fallen for three weeks in a row.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Brent, Wayne Cole, Shri Navaratnam, Sam Holmes Organizations: Nikkei, SYDNEY, Japan's Nikkei, Zhongrong International Trust Co, HK, Nasdaq, Amazon's, Federal, Goldman, Thomson Locations: China, Beijing, Russian, Black, Asia, Pacific, Japan

☆ Typhoon Lan makes landfall in western Japan, threatens damage
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Approaching from the Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Lan made landfall at the southern tip of Wakayama prefecture, some 400 km (250 miles) southwest of Tokyo. The typhoon, which followed closely on the heels of Typhoon Khanun during Japan's peak Obon holiday season, lashed wide swathes of central and western Japan with heavy rains and powerful winds. Anticipating the dangerous levels of winds and rains a day earlier, high-speed train operators had also planned suspensions of services affecting the area. Typhoon Lan had sustained winds of 150 kph (93 mph) and was moving northwest across the western part of the main island of Honshu as of 0000 GMT. It was forecast to reach the Sea of Japan by early Wednesday and continue north along the sea, according to Japan's weather agency.

Persons: Typhoon Lan, Khanun, Chang, Kim, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Toyota Motor Corp, NHK, Toyota Motor, Thomson Locations: Japan, Wakayama prefecture, Tokyo, Mie, Osaka, Tokai, Typhoon, Honshu

☆ Dollar set for fourth week of gains, inflation cements rate outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Amanda Cooper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Japanese yen and U.S. dollar banknotes are seen with a currency exchange rate graph in this illustration picture taken June 16, 2022. The pound was last up 0.3% at $1.2711, but was still heading for a fourth weekly drop. Data on Thursday showed U.S. consumer inflation rose 0.2% last month, matching the gain in June, and by 3.2% in the 12 months through July. The dollar index , which measures the U.S. currency against six others, fell 0.1% to 102.50, but was still set for a fourth weekly gain, thanks in part to a rise in Treasury yields. The dollar fell against the euro , which rose 0.1% to $1.0995 and against the Australian dollar , which rose 0.14% to $0652.

Persons: Florence Lo, Moh Siong Sim, Nick Rees, Mary Daly, Ankur Banerjee, Shri Navaratnam, Simon Cameron, Moore, David Evans Organizations: U.S, REUTERS, Federal, Bank of Japan, Singapore, Ministry of Finance, Reuters, CPI, FX, Monex, San Francisco Fed, Thomson Locations: Japan, Monex Europe, U.S, Singapore

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