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On April 2, DBS published a research report indicating that the recent share price of GCL Technology (03800.HK) is expected to largely follow the cyclical changes in polysilicon prices. In addition, the government may introduce policies to control production or even eliminate backward production capacity, which will become a catalyst for the share price. It is currently expected that GCL Technologys production will drop by 30% this year, and the average selling price of products is expected to increase by more than 10%, offsetting the impact of the decline in production. DBS maintains a buy rating on GCL Technology. Considering that the profit recovery is slower than expected, it lowered its profit forecast for this year from RMB 1 billion to RMB 61 million. It believes that the average selling price will rise and costs will fall, and the profit will rebound to RMB 1.7 billion next year. The target price is lowered from HK$1.35 to HK$1.3.On April 2, market research firm Omdia reported that the annual revenue of the semiconductor market surged by about 25% to $683 billion in 2024. This sharp growth was attributed to strong demand for AI-related chips, especially high-bandwidth memory (HBM) used in AI GPUs, which led to an annual growth rate of 74% in the memory field. After a challenging 2023, the rebound in memory helped boost the overall market. However, this record year masked an uneven performance across the industry. The data processing sector grew strongly, while other key sectors such as automotive, consumer and industrial semiconductors saw revenue declines in 2024. These struggles highlight the weak links in the originally booming market.On April 2, DBS published a research report indicating that the restructuring of Agile (03383.HK) is ongoing, and as a valuable overseas asset in which it holds 45% of the shares, A-Life (03319.HK) may be included in the overseas restructuring plan, and part of the outstanding overseas debts may be offset through credit enhancement or debt-to-equity swaps. Therefore, the restructuring of Agile will put pressure on the share price of A-Life in the near future. In addition, there is still uncertainty as to whether the uncollected receivables from third parties and related parties can be recovered. Considering the limited profit prospects, based on the downward revision of revenue and profit margin forecasts, DBS further lowered the profit forecast of A-Life for this year and next year by 21% to 25%, maintaining the hold rating, and the target price was raised from HK$2.6 to HK$3.Goldman Sachs Group Inc. expects the yen to climb to the bottom of the 140 range against the dollar this year as unease about U.S. economic growth and trade tariffs boost demand for the safest assets. Kamakshya Trivedi, head of global foreign exchange, interest rates and emerging market strategy at Goldman Sachs, said the yen would provide investors with the best currency hedging tool if the likelihood of a U.S. recession increases. Reaching the 140 level would mean a 7% increase from current levels, and the banks forecast is more optimistic than the median of 145 in the agencys survey of analysts. "The yen tends to perform best when U.S. real interest rates and U.S. stocks fall at the same time," Trivedi said.Hong Kong-listed auto stocks fluctuated upward, with Leapmotor (09863.HK) rising more than 9%, Geely Auto (00175.HK) rising nearly 5%, NIO (09866.HK) and Li Auto (02015.HK) both rising more than 1%.

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%.