Equities trade generally flat, few catalysts seen amid market holidays

Asia Market Update: Equities trade generally flat, few catalysts seen amid market holidays; Aussie CPI and US/Japan currency talks seen next week, US Treasury currency report also in focus

General Trend:

- On Friday, there are market holidays in various countries in Asia, Europe and North America

- Shanghai Property index reversed gains, extends recent losses as some focus on PBoC policy outlook

- China Minsheng Investments said it sees 'uncertainty' in bond payment due April 21st

- Equity markets in Japan and Korea rise after declines on Thursday

- Nintendo rises over 15%, speculation related to Switch console launch in China cited

- Nissan declines on speculation related to global production cut

- Japanese materials firm Lixil declines over 4%, cut guidance and announced management changes

- Parcel delivery firm Yamato declines over 9% in Japan, cut guidance

- Taiwan Semi rises after recent earnings report and guidance

- Japanese LDP officials continue to debate sales tax increase amid speculation it could again be delayed

- Japan’s CPI remains below BoJ’s 2% target

- BoJ speculated to plan to cut its GDP and inflation forecasts, central bank is due to meet April 24-25th

- BoJ cuts daily bond purchases of 10-25 yr and over 25-yr JGBs, analysts continue to examine whether daily operations have any implications for overall monetary policy

- US appears to be unfazed by North Korea’s recent weapons test

- Aussie Q1 CPI data due on April 24th (Wed)

- Japan Fin Min Aso is expected to discuss forex issues with US Treasury Sec Mnuchin next week, Aso is expected to travel to the US on April 25th (Thursday)

- There is some press speculation that the US Treasury Department may release its semi-annual currency report in the near-term

Headlines/Economic Data

Australia/New Zealand

- ASX 200 closed

China/Hong Kong

- Shanghai Composite opened flat, Hang Seng closed

- (CN) China PBoC Open Market Operation (OMO): Injects CNY20B in 7-day reverse repos v CNY80B injected in 7-day reverse repos prior; Net: CNY20B injection v CNY80B injection prior

- (CN) China PBoC sets yuan reference rate:6.7043 v 6.6911 prior

- (CN) U.S. won WTO ruling against China over grain import quotas

- (CN) China Finance Ministry (MOF) sells 30-yr bonds: yield 3.9479% v 3.92%e

- (CN) Near-term China RRR cut is not likely after earlier this week the PBoC resumed liquidity injections - China Securities Journal

Japan

- Nikkei 225 opened +0.7%

- (JP) BOJ could slightly cut its FY19/20 GDP and CPI forecasts at the upcoming meeting - financial press

- (JP) JAPAN MAR NATIONAL CPI Y/Y 0.5% V 0.5%E; CPI EX FRESH FOOD (CORE) Y/Y: 0.8% V 0.7%E

- (JP) Japan Cabinet Office (Govt) Apr Monthly Economic Report: Maintains overall economic assessment

- (JP) Japan Chief Cabinet Sec Suga: US President Trump to visit Japan May 25-28

- (JP) Japan MoF: Senior officials from MoF, BoJ, and FSA to discuss financial markets on Friday 07:00 GMT; Japan Top Currency Official Asakawa to hold briefing after meeting on financial markets

Korea

- Kospi opened +0.4%

- (KR) South Korea Mar PPI M/M: +0.3% v 0.1% prior; Y/Y: 0.1% v -0.2% prior

- (KR) US State Dept said the US is ready to continue nuclear talks with North Korea - South Korean press

North America

- (US) MAR ADVANCE RETAIL SALES M/M: 1.6% V 1.0%E; RETAIL SALES EX-AUTO M/M: 1.2% V 0.7%E

- T-Mobile [TMUS]: Follow Up: T-Mobile CEO said to defend merger with Sprint to the US DoJ following the recent concerns expressed by Justice Dept officials - US financial press

Levels as of 1:20 ET

- Nikkei 225, +0.4%, ASX 200 closed, Hang Seng closed; Shanghai Composite +0.2%; Kospi +0.3%

- EUR 1.1244-1.1228 ; JPY 112.01-111.89 ; AUD 0.7153-0.7141 ;NZD 0.6692-0.6678

- Gold flat at $1,277/oz; Crude Oil +0.4% at $64.00/brl; Copper +0.2% at $2.918/lb