Looking Ahead in Asia


Asian markets will digest the latest reserve requirement ratio cut from China’s central bank at the start of the week, while Greece remains in the international spotlight.

The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) reduced the reserve requirement ratio for banks by 100 basis points on Sunday – its second cut in two months. That followed data on Saturday showing home prices dropped for the eleventh straight month in March.

Data releases will be fairly light this week, but the decline in commodity prices and bailout talks for Greece could still pressure markets.  Meanwhile, investors will keep an eye on U.S. earnings, which are expected to be lackluster due to a stronger greenback and falling oil prices. The corporate reporting season also kicks off in Japan this week, with firms like Mazda Motor due to hand in first-quarter results.

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