Asia Mid-Session Market Update: Japan manufacturing PMI returns to expansion as cabinet officials resume jawboning against Yen strength

 

Top US session headlines

- (US) AUG EXISTING HOME SALES: 5.33M V 5.45ME

- (US) INITIAL JOBLESS CLAIMS: 252K V 261KE; CONTINUING CLAIMS: 2.11M V 2.14ME (lowest initial jobless claims since April)

- Reportedly no breakthrough reached at OPEC meeting in Vienna ahead of meeting in Algeria next week - press

- (US) TREASURY $11B 10-YEAR TIPS REOPENING DRAW 0.052%; BID TO COVER 2.59 V 2.27 PRIOR AND 2.38 AVG OVER THE LAST 4 (highest BTC since May 2014)

- YHOO: Confirms certain data from 500M user accounts was stolen, including hashed passwords, names and email addresses

 

Asia Notes/Observations

- Volatility is compressed for the 2nd day and US yield curve flattens as markets process FOMC ripple and settle on 50-50 chance of December hike.

- Nikkei returns from holiday with a down day amid catch-up to Yen bid on BOJ policy change

- Oil pares gains on diminished prospects of Algiers agreement for any supply shift

- NZD still under pressure in the extended wake of more dovish than expected RBNZ; other USD majors in narrow ranges

- Japan PMI surprises to the upside with first expansion in 7 months; Output up for 2nd month and Employment rises to 4-month highs

- Japan Fin Min acknowledges not much impact anticipated from latest BOJ move; Cabinet Sec Suga warns govt watching market moves and Yen direction following BOJ and FOMC

- North Korea Army spokesperson threatens to strike Guam and Seoul if US flies its B-1B bombers over Korea

 

US markets on close: Dow +0.5%, S&P500 +0.7%, Nasdaq +0.8%

- Best Sector in S&P500: Consumer Discretionary

- Worst Sector in S&P500: Basic Materials

- Biggest gainers: WY +5.7%, RIG +5.6%, DISCA +4.8%, FTR +4.8%, RCL +4.6%

- Biggest losers: EQR -2.5%, SWN -2.3%, LVLT -2.1%, KSS -1.9%, PXD -1.8%

 

VIX 12.0 (-1.3pts); Treasuries: 2-yr 0.77% (-1bp), 10-yr 1.63% (-4bp), 30-yr 2.35% (-4bp)

US movers afterhours

- MIFI +29.8%; Pact to Sell Mobile Broadband Unit

- BATS +28.5%; CBOE reportedly in discussions to acquire BATS Global - press

- IMPV +16.4%; Said to Draw Acquisition Interest

- AIR +4.8%; 1Q EPS Cont. Operations, Sales Beat Ests.

- FB -1.4%; Said to have overestimated video ads' viewing time by as much as 60-80% for 2 years - financial press

- ENPH -21.0%; Will Cut 11% of Workforce, Offer Stock

 

After extended session

- GM: Chevrolet to begin offering all-new Equinox SUV model in China - financial press

 

Equity Futures (23:30ET): S&P e-mini flat, Dax flat, FTSE100 -0.1%

FX/Commodities (23:30ET):

- EUR 1.1195-1.1210; JPY 100.70-101.25; AUD 0.7630-0.7650, NZD 0.7275-0.7315

- Gold -0.2% at 1,338; Oil -1.1% at $45.81/brl; Copper -0.2% at $2.19/lb

- GLD: SPDR Gold Trust ETF daily holdings rise 6.5 tonnes to 950.9 tonnes; Highest since Sept 7th

 

Asian Equity Markets (23:30ET)

- Nikkei -0.1%, Hang Seng +0.1%, ASX +0.7%, Shanghai -0.1%, Kospi +0.1%

 

Key economic data:

- (JP) JAPAN SEPT PRELIMINARY PMI MANUFACTURING: 50.3 V 49.5 PRIOR; first expansion in 7 months

- (HK) Macau Aug visitor arrivals: 2.88M, +3.1% y/y

 

Speakers/Press

China:

- (CN) Former China vice housing minister Qiu Baoxing warns about risk of overheating property sector - Chinese press

- (CN) Moody's: China developers will have stable margins in 2016 v 2015

- (CN) China State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) official: No basis for long term Yuan depreciation - financial press

Japan:

- (JP) Japan Chief Cabinet Sec Suga: Will continue to watch market moves, fx moves are very sensitive

- (JP) Japan Fin Min Aso: Reiterates Govt and BOJ need to work together on many issues; deflation is the main problem for the economy

- (JP) Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) chief Sakakibara met with China's Commerce Ministry, urging more transparent antitrust process - Nikkei

 

Asia movers

- China Unicom 762.HK +5.0%; Raised at Goldman Sachs

- Iluka Resources ILU.AU +4.8%; raised to buy from neutral at UBS

- Qube Holdings QUB.AU +4.6%; upgraded to outperform at Macquarie

- Warehouse Groupd WHS.NZ +1.4%: Reports FY16 adj net NZ$64.1M v NZ$57.1M y/y, Rev NZ$2.95B v NZ$2.78B y/y

- Gold miners trade lower on gold prices; Newcrest NCM.AU -2.8%, Evolution Mining EVN.AU -2.6%

- Wynn Macau -3.7%, MGM China -3.0% cut at Credit Suisse

- Dentsu 4324.JP -4.6%: Confirms issues with improper accounting in internet ads, apologizes to customers

- Charter Hall CHC.AU -6.6%; Halt lifted after Gandel Group block sale

- Whitehaven Coal WHC.AU -8.5%; Annual report, CEO pay hike


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Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD drops to daily lows near 1.1630

EUR/USD drops to daily lows near 1.1630

EUR/USD now loses some traction and slips back to the area of daily lows around 1.1630 on the back of a mild bounce in the US Dollar. Fresh US data, including the September PCE inflation numbers and the latest read on December consumer sentiment, didn’t really move the needle, so the pair is still on course to finish the week with a respectable gain.

GBP/USD trims gains, recedes toward 1.3320

GBP/USD trims gains, recedes toward 1.3320

GBP/USD is struggling to keep its daily advance, coming under fresh pressure and retreating to the 1.3320 zone following a mild bullish attempt in the Greenback. Even though US consumer sentiment surprised to the upside, the US Dollar isn’t getting much love, as traders are far more interested in what the Fed will say next week.

Japanese Yen refreshes three-week high vs USD; seems poised to appreciate further

Japanese Yen refreshes three-week high vs USD; seems poised to appreciate further

The Japanese Yen retains bullish bias as BoJ rate hike bets offset dismal Household Spending data. Dovish Fed expectations fail to assist the USD in attracting buyers and keep a lid on the USD/JPY pair. Traders keenly await the US PCE Price Index for Fed rate-cut cues and a fresh directional impetus.


Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD drops to daily lows near 1.1630

EUR/USD drops to daily lows near 1.1630

EUR/USD now loses some traction and slips back to the area of daily lows around 1.1630 on the back of a mild bounce in the US Dollar. Fresh US data, including the September PCE inflation numbers and the latest read on December consumer sentiment, didn’t really move the needle, so the pair is still on course to finish the week with a respectable gain.

GBP/USD trims gains, recedes toward 1.3320

GBP/USD trims gains, recedes toward 1.3320

GBP/USD is struggling to keep its daily advance, coming under fresh pressure and retreating to the 1.3320 zone following a mild bullish attempt in the Greenback. Even though US consumer sentiment surprised to the upside, the US Dollar isn’t getting much love, as traders are far more interested in what the Fed will say next week.

Gold makes a U-turn, back to $4,200

Gold makes a U-turn, back to $4,200

Gold is now losing the grip and receding to the key $4,200 region per troy ounce following some signs of life in the Greenback and a marked bounce in US Treasury yields across the board. The positive outlook for the precious metal, however, remains underpinned by steady bets for extra easing by the Fed.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP pare gains despite increasing hopes of upcoming Fed rate cut

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP pare gains despite increasing hopes of upcoming Fed rate cut

Bitcoin is steadying above $91,000 at the time of writing on Friday. Ethereum remains above $3,100, reflecting positive sentiment ahead of the Federal Reserve's (Fed) monetary policy meeting on December 10.

Week ahead – Rate cut or market shock? The Fed decides

Week ahead – Rate cut or market shock? The Fed decides

Fed rate cut widely expected; dot plot and overall meeting rhetoric also matter. Risk appetite is supported by Fed rate cut expectations; cryptos show signs of life. RBA, BoC and SNB also meet; chances of surprises are relatively low.

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