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☆ Chinese property stocks surge after central bank vows more support for private businesses
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Other attendees included diary giant Yili Group, aluminum products manufacturer China Hongqiao Group and electrical components manufacturer Chint Group . At the symposium, PBOC governor Pan Gongsheng said the central bank will promote the expansion of private business bond financing support instruments, and strengthen the financial market to support their development. This is the latest move by the central government to boost market confidence and vow support for private businesses and the real estate sector amid signs of slowing growth. watch nowAt the Politburo meeting on July 24, the top leadership promised to "adjust and optimize policies" to boost the beleaguered property sector, as well as introduce measures to promote private investment. Separately, China's state planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, also released a 17-point statement, and pledged to encourage more private capital into the construction of major national projects.

Persons: Qilai Shen, Pan Gongsheng Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, China Hongqiao Group, Chint, National Development, Reform Commission, Communist Party Locations: Beijing, China

☆ Asia markets mixed as rising U.S. bond yields pressure equities
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

17 May 2022, Australia, Sydney: The Sydney skyline with the famous Opera House. Photo: Carola Frentzen/dpa (Photo by Carola Frentzen/picture alliance via Getty Images)Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Friday as rising bond yields continue to put pressure on equities in the wake of the U.S. credit downgrade. IG market analyst Tony Sycamore noted the yield on the U.S. 30 year bond rose by 14 basis points overnight to 4.30%, taking the yield towards its October 2022 4.42% high. "The move higher in long end yields is being driven by lumpy bond issuance, resilient data and Fitch's downgrade earlier in the week," Sycamore said. South Korea's Kospi bucked the trend and rose 0.26%, while the Kosdaq was up 0.19%.

Persons: Carola Frentzen, Tony Sycamore, lumpy, Sycamore Organizations: Opera, Getty Images, Reserve Bank, Nikkei Locations: Australia, Sydney, Asia, Pacific

☆ South Korean defense stocks power ahead as overseas interest grows for weapon systems
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

In this handout image released by the South Korean Defense Ministry via Dong-A Daily, a missile is fired during a joint training between the United States and South Korea on June 6, 2022 in East Coast, South Korea. South Korean Defense Ministry | Getty ImagesSouth Korean defense stocks have recorded stellar gains over the past 12 months, with one stock soaring more than 60% as tensions on the Korean Peninsula accelerate. The company manufactures air defense systems, armored fighting vehicles and artillery systems. Escalating tensions in the Korean Peninsula have also kept interest in South Korean weapon platforms high. Tech and industrial baseMorgan Stanley is optimistic about the outlook for the South Korean defense industry.

Persons: Ukraine —, Morgan Stanley, National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak, Maffei, Janes, Youngsoo Han, Kayoung Lee, KAI, Victor Cha, Cha, Yoon Suk Organizations: South Korean Defense Ministry, Getty, Hanhwa Aerospace, Hanhwa Group, Peace Research Institute, The, North, South Korea —, South Korean, K9, Hyundai Rotem, Korea Aerospace Industries, Korean, Poland's, National Defense, Nikkei, NATO, Krauss, South, FA, Samsung Securities, ., Center for Strategic, International, CNBC Locations: United States, South Korea, East Coast , South Korea, Ukraine, South, Stockholm, The U.S, East, Europe, Korean, U.S, Jeju, North Korea, Asia, Russia, Poland, Polish, South Korean, Malaysia, . Tech, Korea

A few years ago, China cracked down on video games. Then, it imposed limits on livestreaming by children. Now China wants them to spend less time on their smartphones. The country’s internet regulator this week proposed regulations that if adopted as written would require smartphones, apps and app stores to build a “minor mode” into their products. The aim is to restrict how long children can spend on their phones and what content they can read or watch.

Persons: ”, Sun Lim Organizations: Singapore Management University Locations: China

☆ Asia markets set to fall as Wall Street sees selloff after U.S. credit downgrade
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Central Hong Kong and the IFC tower seen from the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui. (Photo by Marc Fernandes/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Asia-Pacific markets are set to extend losses Thursday tracking Wall Street's selloff after ratings agency Fitch downgraded the United States' long-term credit rating from AAA to AA+. In Asia, investors will be watching the Caixin survey for China's service sector activity in Juy. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 19,403, pointing to a weaker open compared to the HSI's close of 19,517,38. In Australia, futures for the S&P/ASX 200 were at 7,241 compared to the last close of 7,354.6.

Persons: Marc Fernandes, Fitch Organizations: IFC, Tsim Sha Tsui, Getty Images, United, AAA, AA Locations: Hong Kong, Tsim Sha, Asia, Pacific, United States, 19,517,38 . Hong Kong, Chicago, Osaka, Australia

☆ Asia markets poised to fall as Fitch lowers U.S. credit ratings
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Shoppers at the shopping street in Hongdae district in Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday, July 2, 2022. Asia-Pacific markets are set to largely fall Wednesday after ratings agency Fitch cut the U.S. credit rating from AAA to AA+, citing "expected fiscal deterioration over the next three years." Futures for Australia's S&P/ASX 200 point to a lower open, standing at 7,360 compared to its last close of 7,450. Japan's Nikkei 225 is also set to fall, with the futures contract in Chicago at 33,145 and its counterpart in Osaka at 33,190 against the index's last close of 33,476.58. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures stood at 19,892, pointing to a weaker open compared to compared to the HSI's close of 20,011.12.

Persons: Fitch, Tony Sycamore Organizations: AAA, AA, Swiss, New, Australia's, Nikkei Locations: Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea, Asia, Pacific, treasuries, New Zealand, Korea, Chicago, Osaka

☆ HSBC net profit more than doubles in the first half, announces $2 billion share buyback
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Noel Quinn CEO of HSBC HoldingsNet interest income for the first half stood at $18.3 billion, 36% higher year-on-year, while net interest margin came in 46 basis points higher at 1.70%. Solid second quarterFor the second quarter alone, HSBC beat analysts' expectations to report an 89% jump in pre-tax profit in the second quarter. Pre-tax profit for the quarter ended in June was $8.77 billion, beating expectations of $7.96 billion. Net profit was $6.64 billion, beating the $6.35 billion expected in analysts' estimates compiled by the bank, jumping 27% compared to the same period a year before. Total revenue for the second quarter came in at $16.71 billion, 38% higher than the $12.1 billion seen in the same period a year ago.

Persons: Bertha Wang, Noel Quinn, CNBC's, Quinn, —, there's Organizations: Silicon Valley Bank, HSBC Holdings, Bloomberg, Getty, HSBC, HSBC —, Revenue Locations: France, Silicon, Hong Kong, U.K

☆ Asia markets largely set to rise ahead of private manufacturing activity surveys
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The sails of the Opera House are illuminated with projections on the opening night of Vivid Sydney 2023 in Sydney, Australia, on Friday, May 26, 2023. Asia-Pacific markets are set to largely rise on Tuesday ahead of private manufacturing surveys around the region, including Japan, South Korea and China. China will release the Caixin purchasing managers index in July for both the manufacturing sector, a day after official data showed that the country's factory activity remained in contraction territory for a fourth straight month. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 20,348, pointing to a stronger open compared to compared to the HSI's close of 20,078.94. Futures for the S&P/ASX 200 point to a lower open, at 7,383 compared to the last close of 7,410.4.

Organizations: Opera, Vivid, Reuters, PMI, Reserve Bank, Japan's Nikkei Locations: Sydney, Australia, Asia, Pacific, Japan, South Korea, China, Chicago, Osaka

☆ Asia markets poised to rise ahead of business activity surveys out of China
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

SHENZHEN, CHINA - AUGUST 26: An aerial view of the Shenzhen skyline on August 26, 2020 in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province of China. (Photo by He Shaoping/VCG via Getty Images)Asia-Pacific markets are set to largely rise ahead of business activity data and inflation reports from countries around the region this week. For Monday, China will see the official release of its purchasing managers index in July for both the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sector. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 20,160, pointing to a stronger open compared to compared to the HSI's close of 19,916.56. However, in Australia, futures for the S&P/ASX 200 point to a lower open, at 7,376 compared to the last close of 7,403.6.

Persons: HSI Organizations: Getty Images, Reuters, PMI, Nikkei, Reserve Bank Locations: SHENZHEN, CHINA, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province of China, Asia, Pacific, China, Chicago, Osaka, Australia

☆ Asia markets rise as China's factory activity contracts for fourth straight month
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

(Photo by He Shaoping/VCG via Getty Images)Asia-Pacific markets rose on Monday as China's factory activity for July remained in contraction territory for the fourth straight month. The official manufacturing purchasing managers index came in at 49.3, higher than June's figure of 49.0, according to the national bureau of statistics. The PMI for non-manufacturing activity came in at 51.5, a slower rate of expansion compared to the 53.2 in June. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index surged over 1.71%, while the Hang Seng Tech index saw a larger climb of 4.84%. The country's industrial output for June came in lower than expected, registering a 2% growth month on month compared to the 2.4% expected by economists.

Persons: Hong, HSI, Australia's Organizations: Getty Images, PMI, Hang Seng, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Nikkei, Reserve Bank, Reuters Locations: SHENZHEN, CHINA, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province of China, Asia, Pacific

☆ Céline Boutier dominates Evian Championship to become first Frenchwoman to win a major on home soil
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Evian-les-Bains CNN —Céline Boutier realized a long-held dream for herself and her country on Sunday, cruising to her first major title at the Evian Championship to become the first Frenchwoman to win the tournament. “It honestly has been my biggest dream ever since I started watching golf,” Boutier said during her winner’s interview. Mexico’s Gaby Lopez and Norway’s Celine Borge carded final round 68’s to register their best major finishes in tied-third. The final women’s major of the year, the Women’s Open, tees off at Walton Heath in Surrey, England on August 9. Stuart Franklin/Getty ImagesHomecomingEven as her driver kept landing her in trouble, Boutier continuously rebounded to keep the door firmly closed.

Persons: Bains CNN — Céline Boutier, Brooke Henderson, Catherine Lacoste –, Patricia Meunier, Boutier, ” Boutier, Stuart Franklin, Canada’s Henderson, Mexico’s Gaby Lopez, Norway’s Celine Borge, Lim Kim, Yuka Saso, Hataoka, Rose Zhang, Brooke M, Henderson, France –, soundtracked, Hataoka bogeyed, parring, –, snuffed Organizations: Evian, les, Bains CNN, Evian Championship, Golf Club, US, Chevron, Getty, South, Nasa, Walton Heath, Solheim, Europe, BAINS, Golf, CNN Locations: Evian, –, France, Surrey, England, Andalucia, Spain, EVIAN, FRANCE, Canada, Bains

☆ Yen rises amid reports the Bank of Japan may discuss 'tweaking' policy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The yen was hovering around the 139.13 mark against the U.S. dollar at about 11:25 a.m. Hong Kong/Singapore time. The Japanese yen rose on Friday morning in Asia, on the back of a report that the Bank of Japan could potentially "discuss tweaking" its yield curve control policy at today's policy meeting. Under its yield curve control policy, the central bank targets short-term interest rates at -0.1% and the 10-year government bond yield at 0.5% above or below zero. With inflation having exceeded the BOJ's 2% target, concerns are rising that Japan's relatively low interest rates have made the yen less attractive and vulnerable to selling. Central banks around the world have raised rates aggressively to rein in on inflation, but Japan has continued to maintain an ultra-loose monetary policy and kept rates low.

Persons: — CNBC's Lim Hui Jie Organizations: Nikkei, U.S, Bank of Japan Locations: Hong Kong, Singapore, Asia, Japan

☆ Binance and its CEO seek dismissal of CFTC complaint
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 27 (Reuters) - Binance and its CEO Changpeng Zhao have filed a motion to dismiss a complaint filed against the exchange by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (FTC), the company said in a court filing on Thursday. The CFTC sued Binance, Zhao and former Chief Compliance Officer Samuel Lim in March alleging that they violated the Commodity Exchange Act and certain related federal regulations, and for operating what the regulator said was an "illegal" exchange and a "sham" compliance program. The Court should dismiss the complaint in its entirety," Binance said. Lim filed a separate motion to dismiss the CFTC claims against him. Reporting by Juby Babu in Bengaluru; Editing by Tom HogueOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Changpeng Zhao, Binance, Zhao, Samuel Lim, Lim, Juby Babu, Tom Hogue Organizations: U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, CFTC, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ Asia markets set to fall ahead of Bank of Japan rate decision
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda arrives to conduct an interview with a small group of journalists in Tokyo on May 25, 2023. Richard A. Brooks | AFP | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets are set to fall ahead of the Bank of Japan's rate decision on Friday. Japan's central bank is expected to keep its benchmark policy rate unchanged at -0.1%, but investors will be keenly watching for any signs of a shift in stance towards its yield curve control policy. In Australia, futures for the S&P/ASX 200 were at 7,367, lower than the index's last close of 7,455.9, ahead of its producer price index figures for the second quarter. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index also point to a lower open for the index, standing at 19,347 compared to the HSI's last close of 19,639.11.

Persons: Kazuo Ueda, Richard A, Brooks Organizations: Japan, AFP, Getty, Bank of, Nikkei Locations: Tokyo, Asia, Pacific, Japan's, Chicago, Osaka, Australia

☆ Head of US 'KleptoCapture' unit targeting Russian oligarchs leaves Justice Dept.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Luc Cohen | Thomson Reuters | Reports On The New York Federal Courts. Previously Worked As A Correspondent In Venezuela | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Andrew Adams, who has led the "KleptoCapture" task force since its inception in March 2022, will be replaced by his deputies Michael Khoo and David Lim, a DOJ spokesperson said. "It was a privilege to cap this time in service of the Department's response to the war in Ukraine," Adams, a 10-year Justice Department veteran, wrote in a LinkedIn post. In launching the task force, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said it would enforce sanctions and export controls designed to freeze Russia out of global markets, and confiscate assets obtained through unlawful conduct. During Adams' tenure, the unit unveiled indictments against aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska and TV tycoon Konstantin Malofeyev for alleged sanctions busting, and seized yachts belonging to sanctioned oligarchs Suleiman Kerimov and Viktor Vekselberg. Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Additional reporting by Sarah N. Lynch in Washingon, D.C.; Editing by Daniel WallisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Andrew Adams, Michael Khoo, David Lim, Adams, General Merrick Garland, Oleg Deripaska, Konstantin Malofeyev, Suleiman Kerimov, Viktor Vekselberg, Artem Uss, Khoo, Lim, Luc Cohen, Sarah N, Lynch, Daniel Wallis Organizations: U.S . Department, Reuters, Department of Justice, DOJ, Department, Vekselberg's, Huawei Technologies, Iran, Airbus, D.C, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Ukraine, New York City , New York, U.S, Russia, York, Russian, Italy, New York, Washingon

☆ Investors manoeuvre, warily, for long-shot BOJ policy move
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

SLOWLY, STEADILYBOJ sources say the central bank is leaning towards keeping its yield control policy unchanged as policymakers wait for data to affirm wages and inflation will keep rising. The benchmark 10-year JGB yield also retreated to 0.445% from as high as 0.485%. "We don't short the JGB market. In part, it's an expensive thing to do - as you know, the Bank of Japan owns 110% of the 10-year JGB market," he said. "Nobody's calling for them to hike aggressively, just bringing some function back to the JGB market, allowing themselves to step away because the data has given them an opportunity to do so.

Persons: Jimmy Lim, Lim, Kazuo Ueda, Nigel Foo, Haruhiko Kuroda, Jim Leaviss, Leaviss, Michael Michaelides, Ales Koutny, James Athey, Athey, Kevin Buckland, Ankur Banerjee, Summer Zhen, Alun John, Divya Chowdhury, Harry Robertson, Vidya Ranganathan, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Bank of Japan, Management, ING, Investors, G Investments, Vanguard, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Singapore, FSI, abrdn

☆ 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

Its group chief investment officer Jeffrey Jaensubhakij told Reuters GIC was keen to invest in Chinese companies that do business within China and do not export to the United States. "There are some 'China for China' type of investments that still make sense," he said. GIC said exposure to China was important for a diversified portfolio. GIC is the world's seventh-biggest sovereign investor with $690 billion in total assets, according to research firm Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. The share of emerging market equities in GIC's portfolio rose to 17% by end of March from 16% a year earlier.

Persons: Jeffrey Jaensubhakij, Reuters GIC, GIC's, GIC, Lim Chow Kiat, Beijing scrambles, Ang Eng Seng, Jaensubhakij, GIC's Lim, Yantoultra Ngui, Xinghui, Xie Yu, Julie Zhu, Kane Wu, Christina Fincher Organizations: SINGAPORE, Reuters, HK, Ant Group, Temasek, Infrastructure, Sovereign Wealth Fund, Thomson Locations: China, Singapore, United States, Beijing, U.S, Asia, Japan, Xinghui Kok

SEOUL, July 25 (Reuters) - Tourists should expect far stricter supervision if visits to the border between North and South Korea resume, analysts said, after U.S. soldier Travis King used an organised tour to get close enough to dash across to North Korea last week. The U.S.-led United Nations Command (UNC), which oversees the area, has indefinitely suspended all JSA tours after King's unauthorised crossing. Not all DMZ tours stop at the JSA, which is the only spot where visitors can step up to and even briefly over the border into the North. Visiting JSA is free of charge for South Korean nationals, but the tour King was on started at $180, according to a Tripadvisor listing. King's case would be the first successful border crossing by a JSA tourist ever, Zwetsloot said.

Persons: Travis King, King, Andrew Harrison, I've, Jacco Zwetsloot, Zwetsloot, we'll, Lim Eul, Banning, Lim, Harrison, Soo, hyang Choi, Josh Smith, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: U.S . Army, Joint Security Area, United Nations Command, UNC, JSA, NK, South, North, Kyungnam University, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, North, South Korea, Korea, Panmunjom, Washington, The U.S, Seoul

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ Japan's central bank has been 'wrong footed' on inflation, analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda arrives to conduct an interview with a small group of journalists in Tokyo on May 25, 2023. Richard A. Brooks | AFP | Getty ImagesAnalysts are split over the Bank of Japan's moves after the country's core inflation came in above the central bank's target of 2% for the 15th straight month. CLSA Japan strategist Nicholas Smith is of the view that the BOJ has been "wrong-footed" on inflation. Under the YCC policy, the central bank targets short-term interest rates at -0.1% and the 10-year government bond yield at 0.5% above or below zero, with the aim of maintaining the inflation target at 2%. To Smith, there is "plenty of probability" for the BOJ to shift its stance on YCC at the next central bank meeting next Friday.

Persons: Kazuo Ueda, Richard A, Brooks, Nicholas Smith, Smith, CNBC's, Tetsufumi Yamakawa, Yamakawa, I've Organizations: Japan, AFP, Getty, Bank of, Reuters, Barclays Locations: Tokyo, 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 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

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