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☆ Asia markets to open mixed as investors weigh more Wall Street earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Asia-Pacific markets are largely lower on Thursday as investors on Wall Street digest more earnings reports from names like Netflix, IBM and Morgan Stanley. While many of the companies reporting topped analysts' low-bar estimates, a lack of forecasts from the major companies also left investors on edge. Japan's Nikkei 225 lost 0.5% in early trade, and the Topix also shed 0.54% as Japan's trade deficit hit a record high of 21.7 trillion yen ($161.14 billion) for its full year ending March. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 started the day marginally higher, while South Korea's Kospi slid 0.48% and the Kosdaq dipped 0.7%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index looks set for a positive open, with Hang Seng futures trading at 20,402, higher than the index's last close of 20,367.76.

Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Wednesday as Wall Street's earnings season continued and U.S. Federal Reserve officials delivered mixed signals on future rate hikes. Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic told CNBC that he sees one more rate hike of 25 basis points, before pausing to see its impact on the economy. This would take the U.S. Federal Funds rate to 5% to 5.25%. Bostic's words come as St. Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard told Reuters that he favors a higher terminal rate of between 5.50% and 5.75%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was 0.11% up in early trading, while Japan's Nikkei 225 dipped 0.27% and the Topix fell 0.3%.

☆ Asia markets mostly rise ahead of U.S. inflation report, bank earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Sydney Harbour taking in the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and ferries at sunrise during the COVID-19 pandemic on April 20, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. Markets in the Asia-Pacific mostly rose on Wednesday as investors await key U.S. inflation data that will determine the Federal Reserve's path forward in its tightening cycle. Economists polled by Dow Jones expect a 6% year-over-year increase in the U.S. consumer price index. New York Fed President John Williams emphasized in an interview with Yahoo Finance overnight that the central bank will remain "data dependent." In Japan, the Nikkei 225 rose 0.4% and the Topix gained 0.6% as traders further digested Japan's producer price index and machinery orders report.

☆ Morning Bid: Asia stocks bounce as dovish central banks lift the mood
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Kevin Buckland. The local stock price reaction was muted though: Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up 0.9% while mainland benchmarks were flat. Bitcoin, meanwhile, soared as high as $30,438 in Asia for the first time in 10 months, smashing out of recent ranges. Europe returns to trading with very little on the economic calendar aside from euro zone retail sales for February and the Sentix business survey. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsKey developments that could influence markets on Tuesday:Sentix indexEuro zone retail salesFirst Republic financial resultsReporting by Kevin Buckland; Editing by Edmund KlamannOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Bank of Korea holds rates at 3.5%; Asia markets rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Stocks in the Asia-Pacific rose on Tuesday as the Bank of Korea held interest rates at 3.5%, in line with expectations. Economists polled by Reuters were expecting the central bank to hold rates for second consecutive time as the nation grapples with an inflation rate of 4.2%. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 rose 0.97% in its first hour of trade and the Topix gained 0.6%. China's inflation figures will be released as well, with Reuters expecting to see a 1% rise in its consumer price index compared to a year ago and no change month-on-month. China's producer price index is forecast to see a drop of 2.5% after seeing a decline of 1.4% in the previous month year-on-year.

☆ Asia markets mostly rise as investors come back from long weekend
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA - 2022/10/06: People are seen taking photos of the City of Mumbai skyline. (Photo by Ashish Vaishnav/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)Asia-Pacific markets were mostly higher on Monday as some investors returned from a long Easter weekend. Japan's Nikkei 225 opened 0.65% higher, with the Topix seeing a larger gain of 0.8%. Australian and Hong Kong markets remained closed due to a four day Easter holiday till Monday. India will release its fiscal deficit figures for March, as well as its March trade data, while Indonesia's retail sales for February will also be out.

☆ Asian stocks slide, bond yields depressed as recession worries weigh
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Asia-wide index had surged more than 5% since mid-March to close at a 1 1/2-month high on Tuesday. E-mini futures for the broader S&P 500 indicated a 0.24% decline at the reopen, extending Wednesday's 0.25% slide. As signs have built this week for a sharp U.S. slowdown, traders have been pricing for a more dovish Fed. That helped the yen, which is highly sensitive to U.S. yields, gain against fellow safe haven the greenback. The dollar index rose 0.12% to 101.99, continuing its bounce from a two-month low.

Commercial and residential buildings at dusk in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Wednesday as Wall Street digested a key U.S. labor report that showed job openings dropped to their lowest level in nearly two years in February. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was up marginally, while Japanese markets saw larger losses. The Nikkei 225 slid 0.65%, while the Topix lost 0.85%. Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong markets are closed for a holiday.

☆ Morning Bid: Markets exhale after OPEC+ shock; RBA hits pause
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Crude oil continued to tick up, but not at Monday's pace, with Brent a little over $85. Money markets lay 2:1 odds for the Fed to hike by another quarter point over a pause at their next meeting in a month from now. By contrast, the European Central Bank is seen as almost certain to tighten by a quarter point at its meeting around the same time. The Reserve Bank of Australia, for its part, decided to press pause on its year-long rate hiking campaign - as most economists had predicted - amid signs that inflation may have peaked. China has been for the first time keeping at least one nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine constantly at sea, according to a Pentagon report.

☆ Asia markets rise ahead of Australia's central bank interest rate decision
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) at the central bank's building in Sydney, Australia on May 2, 2022. Asia-Pacific markets rose on Tuesday ahead of a Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate hike decision, with economists almost evenly spilt on whether the RBA will pause or continue its hiking cycle. According to a Reuters poll of 37 economists, 16 expect a rate hike from the current interest rate level of 3.6% to 3.85%, while 21 expect the bank to hold rates. South Korea's Kospi was 0.57% up, while the Kosdaq index was 0.36% higher. In Hong Kong, Hang Seng index futures were at 20,462, higher than the index's last close of 20,409.18.

☆ Asia markets rise as oil surges after surprise OPEC+ cut; investors digest factory data
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Aerial view of oil and gas jack-up rig at the yard for maintenance with many vessels in Singapore. Asia-Pacific markets largely rose on Monday as investors further digested key manufacturing data in the region. Brent crude futures and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures (WTI) surged as much as 8% after OPEC+ members agreed to cut more than 1 million barrels per day to extend through the end of 2023. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.66%, while in Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened 0.5% higher and the Topix rose 0.57%. On the other hand, the Hang Seng index looks to trade lower, with Hang Seng futures standing at 20,353 compared to the index's last close of 20,400.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets rise after Wall Street continues to see eased banking concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Markets in the Asia-Pacific are set to trade higher on Friday as investors on Wall Street continued to shake off concerns of a further banking crisis. Markets also looked ahead to the U.S. personal consumption expenditure price index, the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation, which is slated for release later in the day. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.%73 in its first hour of trade. The Nikkei 225 rose 1.12% and the Topix rose 1.07% as Tokyo's inflation print continued to show lower levels from its recent peak of 4.3% seen in December. Hang Seng futures also pointed to a higher open at 20,563 against the index 's last close at 20,309.13.

Hong Kong island and Victoria Harbour cityscape, viewed from Victoria Peak. In the foreground, the Bank of China tower and Cheung Kong Center skyscrapers. Asia-Pacific markets were trading mixed on Thursday with Hong Kong looking to extend its gains. On Wednesday, Hong Kong markets gained over 2%, led by China's tech giant Alibaba on news of its major shakeup. South Korea's Kospi was up fractionally, while the Kosdaq index gained 0.54%.

Chinese technology stocks such as Alibaba and Tencent have been hammered in 2022 as regulatory pressure and a slowing Chinese economy weighed on growth. But investors are starting to feel slightly more optimistic toward Chinese tech giants in 2023. Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Wednesday as investors will keenly watch Alibaba's Hong Kong-listed shares, after the Chinese tech giant announced it will split into six business groups. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened marginally lower, but the Topix rose 0.13%. South Korea's Kospi fell fractionally, while the Kosdaq index rose 0.03%.

Asia-Pacific markets were higher on Tuesday as investor fears over the recent banking turmoil continued to show signs of easing. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.11%. Japan's Nikkei 225 was up 0.3%, while the Topix saw a larger gain of 0.57% in early trading. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was also looking to trade higher, with futures standing at 19,638 compared to the index's last close of 19,567,69. Elsewhere, South Korea will release its consumer sentiment index for March, while Australia will see its retail sales data for February.

A Cruise Ship next to Hong Kong Skyline on March 21, 2023 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Vernon Yuen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Monday as investors continue to assess the impact of the banking troubles in the U.S and Europe. On Friday, Deutsche Bank saw a selloff of its U.S.-listed shares, after the German lender's credit default swaps jumped, without an apparent catalyst. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.26%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 also opened 0.15% higher and the Topix climbed 0.21%. Hong Kong markets were also poised to fall, with Hang Seng futures trading at 19,864 compared to 19,915.68.

☆ Asia stocks see bright side after Nvidia sounds upbeat
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Shares in the giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (2330.TW) rose 2.2% to lift Taiwan's benchmark (.TWII) 1.3%. A 4% gain for SK Hynix (000660.KS) and a 2% gain for Samsung (005930.KS) drove South Korea's Kospi (.KS11) 1% higher. The Bank of Korea also offered some relief by ending a year-long run of uninterrupted rate hikes with a pause - as expected. Wall Street indexes fell overnight and are eyeing their worst week of the year so far as stronger-than-forecast U.S. labour, inflation, retail sales and manufacturing figures have traders pricing interest rates staying higher for longer. "Markets have been forced to reprice interest rate expectations, not just higher, but also questioning the view that once peak rates are hit, central banks will pivot quickly to cutting interest rates," said ANZ economist Finn Robinson.

View of the Yarra River flowing through Melbourne city centre in Australia. Asia-Pacific markets are set to fall on Tuesday as investors await regional private surveys for factory activity. The PMI index encompasses services and manufacturing, and is seen as a reliable gauge of economic health. Reserve Bank of Australia will release minutes from its February policy meeting, when it hiked interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.35%. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 0.16% and the Topix was marginally lower ahead of the au Jibun Bank Flash Japan Manufacturing PMI.

☆ Stocks shrug off rates risk as U.S. consumers spend
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Equities - with the Nasdaq (.IXIC) up 15% so far this year - are clinging to the positives, while in interest rate markets investors are quickly ditching hopes for cuts later in 2023. Two-year Treasury yields , which also track short-term interest rate expectations, hit their highest since November at 4.703% overnight. S&P 500 futures rose 0.2%. Elsewhere the repricing of the interest rates outlook is putting an end to a couple months of selling of the dollar in currency markets. The U.S. dollar index is eying a third weekly gain in a row - the longest streak since September, when the index was galloping towards a 20-year high.

☆ Asia stocks head for second weekly loss as Fed rate worries flare
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TOKYO, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Asia-Pacific stocks fell on Friday, slumping toward a second weekly loss as investors fretted about the potential for further Federal Reserve tightening and the effect on the U.S. economy. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares (.MIAP00000PUS) sank 0.54% and was on course for a 1% weekly decline, after losing 1.16% in the previous week. "If rates go past that five, five-and-a-quarter percent range that the Fed has previously indicated, markets are definitely not priced for that - absolutely not." The 10-year yield edged down to around 3.67% after bumping around 3.96% mid-week, also the highest since Jan. 6. Brent crude futures fell 28 cents, or 0.3%, to $84.22 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 35 cents, or 0.5%, to $77.71.

☆ Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as investors digest Fed's smaller quarter-point hike
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Foreign currency dealers work in a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. South Korea's Kospi advanced as much as 1.1% on the first trading day of 2022 on foreign purchases. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.9% and the Kosdaq gained 1.16%. South Korea's consumer price index rose 5.2% in the first month of 2023 on an annualized basis, ticking upward for the first time in three months, government data showed. The Korean won stood at 1,221.18 against the U.S. dollar while the dollar index fell by a percent to stand at 101.08.

☆ Asia-Pacific shares trade higher as investors gear up for Fed rate hike decision
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

People watch fireworks on the street during the Torch Festival on January 27, 2023 in Jieyang, China. Asia-Pacific shares traded higher as investors looked ahead to the Federal Reserve's Wednesday meeting, as well as some economic data in the region. Japan's Nikkei 225 gained 0.8% and the Topix climbed 0.7% even as Japan's factory activity logs a third consecutive month of contraction in January. South Korea's Kospi advanced 0.74% and the Kosdaq rose 0.78%, as South Korea's export numbers in January fell 16.6% on an annualized basis. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 0.47% in early trade.

☆ Asia markets fall as China stocks set for bull run on return from holiday
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Visitors on Central Street of the Taipa Village in Macau, China, on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. Tourism and spending are reviving in Macau as the Lunar New Year holiday spurred a jump in visitors after pandemic travel restrictions were eased between the territory and mainland China. Stocks in the Asia-Pacific traded mostly lower on Monday ahead of mainland Chinese markets resuming trade after a week-long New Year break. Stocks on Wall Street ended the week last Friday higher, fueled by gains in Tesla shares and a better-than-expected GDP report on Thursday. All major averages posted a positive week and are on pace for a month of gains.

☆ Asian stocks edge up, dollar sags as markets mull Fed risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Treasury yields remained elevated in Tokyo after bouncing off four-month lows overnight. Asian markets showed some resilience despite a selloff on Wall Street overnight, with the S&P 500 (.SPX) losing 0.76%. Worries about more Fed tightening were heightened by robust U.S. employment data and fresh hawkish rhetoric from central bank officials. The market bets the policy rate will been just below 5% in June, implying just over 50 basis points of additional tightening. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield was around 3.4% after bouncing off the lowest since mid-September at 3.321% overnight.

☆ Asia-Pacific shares trade mixed as U.S. inflation data remains firmly in spotlight
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) 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 shares traded mixed as investors look ahead to the U.S. consumer price index report Thursday. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 traded up 1.03% in its first hour of trade. The Nikkei 225 dipped fractionally after reversing earlier gains, while the Topix climbed 0.19%. South Korea's Kospi traded flat, while the Kosdaq declined 0.19%.

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