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July 2, according to the Asahi Shimbun, Japanese trade negotiator Ryomasa Akasawa is scheduled to travel to the United States for trade negotiations as early as this weekend. This will be Ryomasa Akasawas eighth trip to the United States for trade negotiations. Justin Low, an analyst at the financial website Forexlive, said that despite many visits, the situation is roughly the same as his first visit. The "running show" at least makes them look difficult. But I guess only time will tell. With a week left before the July 9 deadline, Trump seems to be losing patience.July 2, Bank of Americas clients withdrew money from the U.S. stock market at the fastest pace in 10 weeks, reducing their risk exposure. As of the end of June, the S&P 500 index had its best quarterly performance since 2023. Bank of America quantitative strategists including Jill Carey Hall wrote in a report released on Tuesday that last week, all major client groups, including institutions, retail investors and hedge funds, withdrew a total of $1.3 billion from the U.S. stock market. Amid risk aversion in the market, there is growing uncertainty about whether the current rebound can continue. The current rebound has helped the S&P 500 rebound from its tariff-related lows in April and is currently hovering near its highest overbought level since July 2024.Futures July 2 news, 1. WTI crude oil futures trading volume was 579,344 lots, an increase of 58,645 lots from the previous trading day. The open interest was 1,989,281 lots, an increase of 23,959 lots from the previous trading day. 2. Brent crude oil futures trading volume was 96,803 lots, an increase of 3,188 lots from the previous trading day. The open interest was 196,066 lots, a decrease of 940 lots from the previous trading day. 3. Natural gas futures trading volume was 515,431 lots, a decrease of 94,589 lots from the previous trading day. The open interest was 1,499,809 lots, an increase of 8,841 lots from the previous trading day.HSBC: Lowered the target price of Hermès from 2,900 euros to 2,800 euros; lowered the target price of LVMH from 540 euros to 500 euros.Hong Kong-listed Kingsoft Software (03888.HK) plunged sharply in the afternoon and is now down more than 9%.

Hang Seng Index, ASX200, Nikkei 225: Fed Fear Weighed on Sentiment

Alice Wang

Mar 02, 2023 16:08

Market Overview

It was a bearish morning for the Asian markets, with the Hang Seng Index giving up some gains from the China PMI-fueled rally.


Economic indicators from the US and hawkish Fed chatter hit investor risk sentiment this morning. In February, the US ISM Manufacturing PMI continued to reflect a contraction across the sector.


However, sub-components of the report pointed to a pickup in inflationary pressure, weighing on riskier assets.


The ISM Manufacturing PMI increased from 47.4 to 47.7 in February. While the continued contraction across the manufacturing sector was bearish, the inflation sub-component showed further evidence of sticky inflation.


In February, the ISM Manufacturing Prices Index jumped from 44.5 to 51.3 versus a forecasted 45.1. Hawkish Fed commentary also fueled Fed Fear, with Fed Dove Neel Kashkari talking about being open to a 50-basis point rate in March.


The NASDAQ Composite Index and the S&P 500 responded to the stats and the Kashkari comments, falling by 0.86% and 0.47%, respectively. The Dow avoided the red, eking out a 0.02% gain.

Looking Ahead

This morning, the US Futures had a mixed session. The Dow mini was up 69 points, while the NASDAQ mini was down 54.75 points, reflecting investor uncertainty ahead of the US session.


It is a relatively busy day on the US economic calendar. US jobless claims, unit labor costs, and nonfarm productivity numbers will be in focus. While nonfarm productivity numbers will draw interest, the jobless claims and unit labor costs will likely have more influence.


A further decline in initial jobless claims, a jump in labor costs, and hawkish Fed chatter would further fuel market bets of a more hawkish Fed monetary policy outlook. FOMC member Waller will speak after today’s stats. Investors will want to know how high the Fed will be willing to go.


However, following the PMI numbers from China, today’s losses were modest considering the US inflation numbers, Fed commentary, and today’s stats.

ASX 200

The ASX 200 was down 0.02%. Disappointing building approval figures failed to spook investors. In January, building approvals tumbled by 27.6%, reversing a 15.3% increase from December. Economists forecast a more modest 8.0% decline. The numbers reflected the effects of RBA monetary policy on the housing sector.


Mining stocks continued to move northwards. Rio Tinto (RIO) and BHP Group Ltd (BHP) were up by 3.75% and 3.61%, respectively, with Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) gaining 3.80%. Newcrest Mining (NCM) trailed, rising by 1.56%.


Oil stocks were also on the move. Woodside Energy Group (WDS) and Santos Ltd (STO) saw gains of 1.60% and 0.57%, respectively. WTI Crude and Brent Crude gains delivered support, with Brent Crude up 0.07% to $84.37 this morning.


However, Bank stocks continued to struggle. ANZ Group (ANZ) and Westpac Banking Corp (WBC) slid by 2.18% and 1.81%, respectively. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) and National Australia Bank (NAB) saw losses of 1.21% and 1.11%, respectively.

Hang Seng Index

The Hang Seng was down 0.40% this morning as investors shifted attention to the US economic calendar and the Fed. There were no stats from China or HK to influence sentiment this morning.


However, HK retail sales numbers for January will be out after today’s market close.


Looking at the main components of the Index, Tencent Holdings Ltd (HK:0700) was down 1.57%, with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (HK:9988) sliding by 4.46%.


However, it was a mixed morning for banking stocks. HSBC Holdings PLC fell by 0.16%, while China Construction Bank (HK: 0939) and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (HK:1398) saw gains of 1.01% and 0.25%, respectively.


CNOOC (HK: 0883) found support from the upswing in crude oil prices, rising by 0.36%.