Asian Daily Market Review

July 01, 2020

Asian markets are following through on gains made on Tuesday and are heading higher Wednesday on investor optimism. Overnight gains from Wall Street are helping boost sentiment as investors look ahead to an economic recovery and ignore the surge in new coronavirus cases in some areas of the U.S.

Mainland Chinese investors remain particularly upbeat after the stronger than expected PMI data released on Tuesday, and in the wake of the passage of a national security law for Hong Kong. The Shanghai Composite is trading 0.8% higher, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is leading gains as it trades up by 0.9%. Meanwhile Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is adding 0.5%.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 has a modest 0.3% gain in the afternoon in Sydney. The big four banks are trading from flat to up by 1%, and the major miners are dragging the index down as Rio Tinto trades 1.1% lower and BHP has a 0.1% loss. Gold miners are rallying strongly after gold hit a nearly 9 year high overnight. Evolution Mining trades 4.8% higher, while Newcrest Mining is gaining 2.2%.

In Japan the Nikkei is bucking the rising trend, trading down by 0.2% as the Yen is stronger today versus the U.S. dollar, which is weighing on shares of Japan’s exporters.

In South Korea the Kospi is up by 0.8%, and in Taiwan the Taiex has a 0.9% advance.

Southeast Asian markets are mixed as Singapore’s Straits Times Index climbs 0.7% higher and the KLCI in Malaysia adds 0.1%, but at the same time the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia is trading 0.2% lower.

June 24, 2020

Asian markets are headed broadly higher on Tuesday morning as investors are focused more on the economic reopening versus the resurgence in COVID cases. Also helping is the news from the White House that the U.S.-China trade deal is “fully intact.”

Japan’s Nikkei is leading the way higher, adding 0.8% as the Yen is softer versus the U.S. dollar. The move back above the 107.00 handle for the USD/JPY is helping lift shares of Japan’s exporters, who benefit from the weaker Yen. Shares of Panasonic are up 2.6% today, while Canon is adding 1.6%, and Toyota is 1.9% higher.

In mainland China the Shanghai Composite is up a slight 0.1%, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is rising 0.3%. In Hong Kong the Hang Seng is outperforming its mainland peers as it tacks on 0.7%.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 is edging up by 0.1% today, with losses from the big four banks keeping gains muted. Shares of ANZ are 0.5% lower, NAB is down 0.8%, Commonwealth Bank is also down 0.8%, and Westpac has a 1% loss. Gains from the miners are helping to keep the market afloat, with BHP adding 1.1%, Rio Tinto up 1.5%, and iron giant Fortescue Metals rising 1.3%.

In South Korea the Kospi has a solid 0.6% advance, and in Taiwan the Taiex trades 0.3% higher.

Southeast Asian markets are departing from the major indices however, with the KLCI in Malaysia leading losers as it drops 0.7%, while the Straits Times in Singapore and the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia are both trading flat and inching lower by less than 0.1%.

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January 29, 2020

Most Asian markets are rebounding Wednesday after Europe and Wall Street posted solid overnight gains in their own recovery from the Monday selloff in equity markets. Although the coronavirus continues to pose a significant risk to the global economy, investors seem to have put that aside for the time being even as China has upped the number of confirmed coronavirus cases to nearly 5,500 and the number of deaths to 125.

Mainland Chinese markets remain closed for the Lunar New Year holiday, but Hong Kong has resumed trading, and the Hang Seng is down 2.4% in early trade. Investors fear a spread of the virus to the island, and there have also been more riots over the past several days.

In Japan the Nikkei trades 0.5% higher, helped by a weaker Yen, as the haven currency has seen selling overnight in response to the rising risk appetite from investors.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 has a gain of 0.7%, with the big four banks trading up in the range of 0.8% to 1.4%. Major miners stocks are also rebounding and BHP is 0.9% higher, while Rio Tinto is rising 0.6%. Oil stocks are also rising after crude posted its first gain in six sessions overnight. Santos and Woodside Petroleum both trade 1.2% higher.

In South Korea the Kospi is up by 0.5%, while Taiwan’s Taiex remains closed for the Lunar New Year until tomorrow.

Southeast Asian markets are mixed as Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite trades 0.3% higher, and the Straits Times in Singapore is rising 0.1%, but Malaysia’s KLCI has a 0.1% loss.

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January 28, 2020

Several Asian markets remained closed on Tuesday in celebration of the Lunar New Year. Among those markets remaining closed are mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Other markets such as Singapore and South Korea have reopened and trading volumes are increasing with the return of investors. Losses are piling up however following steep selloffs in European and U.S. equities overnight.

In Japan the Nikkei is trading down by 0.9% after falling 2% on Monday. Losses are more moderate today despite confirmed coronavirus cases in China rising nearly 100% overnight and the death count topping 100 globally. It’s likely that the stabilizing Yen is helping keep equities afloat.

Australian investors are returning from a three day weekend after markets remained closed Monday for Australia Day. The S&P/ASX 200 is 1.4% lower with broad based losses heading into afternoon trading. The big four banks are taking a hit, with ANZ 2% lower, NAB falling 1.2%, Commonwealth Bank off 1.3%, and Westpac losing 1%. Miners are also in freefall as BHP drops 3.7% and Rio Tinto loses 3.6%, however gold miners are outperforming and Evolution Mining has a 2.8% gain, while Newcrest Mining rises 0.3%.

South Korean investors have returned after their Lunar New Year break to send the Kospi down 3% in early trade. Index heavy weight Samsung is contributing with its own fall of 3.1%.

In Southeast Asia Singaporean traders are also returning from their Lunar New Year celebration and sending the Straits Times down 2.9%. In Malaysia the KLCI is 1.3% lower, and Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite is off by 0.5%.

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January 27, 2020

Many Asian markets remain closed for the Lunar New Year holiday, including mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea. The Australian markets are also closed today in celebration of Australia Day.

Japan’s Nikkei opened to a drop of more than 2%, but has since recovered modestly and is trading down by 1.6% as the lunch break looms. The losses are due to several factors, including weakness this past Friday on Wall Street, concerns over the spreading Wuhan coronavirus, which has now infected over 2,000 people, and killed 80, and thin volumes throughout the Asian region.

Market heavy weight Softbank has a loss of 0.5%, while Fast Retailing is falling 3.7%. Among Japanese technology stocks Tokyo Electron has a 2% loss. Major exporters are also falling in response to Yen strength, with the currency rising on safe haven demand. Panasonic is 1.7% lower, Canon has lost 0.8%, and Nintendo is falling 2.5%.

In Southeast Asia Singapore and Malaysia are both closed in observance of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite has opened to a 0.4% loss, and in Thailand the SET is flat in early trade.

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January 24, 2020

Asian markets are flat for the most part on Friday as investors weight the potential impacts of the Wuhan coronavirus after the World Health Organization failed to declare the illness a global emergency, saying it hadn’t become that bad yet. Also, in China authorities moved to quarantine the city of Wuhan and surrounding areas, cancelling most flights and closing down train and bus stations.

Markets in China and South Korea are already closed for the Chinese Lunar New Year, which will last all next week. In addition, Hong Kong’s market will close early today. Early Friday the Hang Seng trades lower by 0.2%.

In Japan early gains fizzled out and the Nikkei is trading flat with a gain of less than 0.1%. The Yen is continuing to strengthen for a fourth consecutive session, making it very likely that Japanese exporter shares will fall later in the session, taking the Nikkei into negative territory.

In Australia investors are shrugging off the coronavirus scare, and the S&P/ASX 200 trades 0.4% higher heading into the afternoon. The banking sector is doing well today, with ANZ trading 0.7% higher, NAB up 1%, Commonwealth Bank gaining 0.9%, and Westpac 0.9% higher as well. Shares of oil companies are holding up well as crude prices have stabilized after their overnight drop. Major miners are falling, with BHP down 1.1% and Rio Tinto down 2%. Gold miners are holding up well however, and Newcrest Mining is 1.4% higher.

In Southeast Asia markets are mixed, with Singapore’s Straits Times slightly higher, but the KLCI in Malaysia slightly lower.

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January 23, 2020

Asian markets are broadly lower Thursday as coronavirus fears return, and China announces it has quarantined Wuhan in an attempt to limit the spread of the virus. There are already 570 confirmed cases of the virus in China, and 17 deaths have been attributed to coronavirus. The U.S. has confirmed 1 case on Tuesday.

Mainland China’s Shanghai Composite is trading lower by 0.7% as the week long market closure for the Chinese Lunar New Year is looming. The smaller cap, technology focused Shenzhen Composite is 0.5% lower as well. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is leading losses for the Asian region as it trades down by 0.8%.

In Japan the Nikkei is 0.5% lower as it heads into the lunch hour. A stronger Yen is contributing to the losses, as traders move into the safe haven asset, and the stronger Yen weighs on shares of Japanese exporters.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 is down by 0.6% amid worries of the economic impact of the spreading coronavirus. Tech stocks are lower, and oil shares are falling after sharp losses for crude overnight. Gold miners are also falling, as gold hasn’t responded to haven demand in the face of the virus scare.

In South Korea the Kospi has a 0.4% loss, while Taiwan’s Taiex is already closed in advance of next week’s Chinese Lunar New Year.

In Southeast Asia the KLCI in Malaysia has dropped 0.2%, but Singapore’s Straits Times Index has a 0.2% gain, and the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia is creeping up by less than 0.1%.

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January 21, 2020

Asian markets are heading broadly lower Tuesday, with Hong Kong leading losses after ratings agency Moody’s cut its rating on the city from Aa2 to Aa3. Investors are also awaiting the release of the quarterly outlook from the Bank of Japan, which could give some clues regarding the direction of the central bank’s monetary policy. Separately the International Monetary Fund trimmed its global growth outlook to 2.9% and 3.3% respectively for 2019 and 2020, saying the global economy remains “sluggish.”

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is trading 1.7% lower following the downgrade from Moody’s, with insurer AIA leading losses for a second day as its shares have fallen 3% in early trade following a 2.1% loss on Monday. On mainland China the Shanghai Composite is trading 0.8% lower, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite has a 0.5% loss.

Japan’s Nikkei is 0.9% lower as the Yen is strengthening in early trade. Investors are awaiting the monetary policy statement from the Bank of Japan, with expectations for the central bank to keep interest rates unchanged at negative 0.1%.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 is 0.4% lower, with the big four banks lower in the range of 0.1% to 0.7%, although NAB has a 0.2% gain. Major miners are lower, with BHP falling 0.7% and Rio Tinto 0.3% lower.

South Korea’s Kospi is down 0.4%, and in Taiwan the Taiex is already closed ahead of the Chinese New Year.

Southeast Asian markets are mixed, with Singapore’s Straits Times Index 1.1% lower, and the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia falling 0.2%, but Malaysia’s KLCI up by 0.1%.

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January 20. 2020

Asian markets are trading mostly higher on Monday as investor sentiment remains positive following last week’s signing of the U.S.-China trade deal, and as prospects for the global economy are looking more rosy than in a long time. The earnings results out of the U.S. so far have been encouraging as well.

Mainland China’s Shanghai Composite is trading 0.4% higher today, and the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite has a 0.7% gain. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is refusing to follow the mainland’s lead however, and is down by 0.3% in early trade.

In Japan the Nikkei is edging higher by 0.2%, but could see larger gains in the afternoon after the Yen strengthened at the open, but has since given back its gains and is trending weaker during the lunch break.

In Australia the S&P/AX 200 has a 0.4% gain, with the big four banks trading in a range of flat to 0.6% higher. Major miners are making good gains again thanks to last week’s trade deal, with BHP up by 1.7%, Rio Tinto gaining 1.4%, and Fortescue Metals adding 3.4%.

South Korea’s Kospi is continuing its rally, leading gains across Asia as it tacks on 0.8% today, with index heavy weight Samsung helping as it’s rising 2% to a new record high.. In Taiwan the Taiex has a 0.3% gain.

Southeast Asian markets are taking their own course, trading broadly lower. The Straits Times in Singapore and the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia both have a 0.2% loss, while the KLCI in Malaysia is lower by 0.1%.

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January 17, 2020

Asian markets are steady on Friday after Wall Street posted record highs overnight, and after China reported fourth quarter GDP that was in-line with expectations. Even so, the 6% growth is the slowest for China in nearly three decades.

Japan’s Nikkei is up 0.4% as the Yen weakened overnight versus the U.S. dollar in response to lowered trade uncertainty. Shares of Sony are 0.6% higher, while rival Nintendo is edging up by less than 0.1%. Financials are doing well, with Mitsubishi UFJ trading 1.1% higher and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group has a 0.6% gain.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 is 0.5% higher heading into the afternoon. It’s the fifth consecutive winning session for the Australian benchmark index and if the gains hold it will be a second consecutive record close. The big four banks are helping, with three of the four up by 0.7% to 0.9%, while Commonwealth Bank has a smaller 0.1% gain.

In mainland China indices have recovered from small opening losses in response to the fourth quarter GDP results. The Shanghai Composite and the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite are both 0.3% higher. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng has a 0.2% gain as it looks to overtake the 29,000 level.

In South Korea the Kospi is looking to extend its winning streak as it trades up by 0.2% in early trade. Meanwhile the Taiex in Taiwan is 0.2% higher as well.

Southeast Asian markets are mixed, with Malaysia’s KLCI trading 0.2% higher, while the Straits Times in Singapore and the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia are both edging lower by 0.1%.

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January 16, 2020

Asian markets are mostly higher Thursday after the U.S. and China signed the phase one trade deal overnight. Gains are mostly muted as investors continue to digest the details of the pact, and Chinese markets are modestly lower.

On mainland China the Shanghai Composite has fallen 0.2% since the open, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is lower by less than 0.1%. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is taking its own direction, trading up by 0.4% in counterpoint to the losses on the mainland.

Japan’s Nikkei is inching up with a 0.1% gain late Thursday morning in Tokyo. Shares of Sony are trading 1.1% higher, while rival Nintendo has a 0.4% loss. Also falling is Softbank, with a 0.6% loss, while Fast Retailing has jumped higher by 1.4%.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 is leading gains for the region, trading up by 0.6%. The big four banks are broadly higher, trading up in the range of 0.6% to 0.9%. Major miners are falling however, with BHP down 0.3% and Rio Tinto off by 0.2%. Gold miners are adding to gains from the previous session, and Newcrest Mining has a 1.6% gain. Oil stocks are mixed after overnight losses for crude, with Santos trading down by 1.6%, while Woodside Petroleum has a 1% gain.

In South Korea the Kospi is trading 0.3% higher, and in Taiwan the Taiex has a 0.3% loss.

Southeast Asian markets are mixed as the Straits Times in Singapore rises 0.3%, but Malaysia’s KLCI is falling 0.5%, and the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia has a 0.3% loss.

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January 15. 2020

Asian markets are headed mostly lower on Wednesday as investors digest the news from overnight that even though the phase one trade deal will be signed by the U.S. and China there won’t be any tariff rollbacks until after the November U.S. elections.

In Japan the Nikkei is falling 0.4% as the Yen has strengthened against the U.S. dollar in response to an uptick in risk from the lack of tariff rollbacks. Shares of Sony have dropped 1.3%, while tech giant Softbank has a 0.5% loss.

In mainland China the Shanghai Composite has dropped 0.8% at the open, and the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is falling 0.8% as well. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng has a loss of 0.7% as it’s following the lead of mainland markets. Tech giant Tencent has a 0.7% loss, and rival Alibaba is trading 1.7% lower.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 has bucked the falling trend across the region however, and trades up by 0.3%. The big four banks are trading flat to 0.4% higher, while the major miners are mixed as BHP has a 0.2% gain, but both Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals are 0.4% lower.

In South Korea the Kospi has a 0.4% loss, led by a 1.2% drop in shares of index heavy weight Samsung. Taiwan’s Taiex trades 0.6% lower, with Taiwan Semiconductor trading down by 1.9%.

Southeast Asian markets are also broadly lower as Singapore’s Straits Times edges lower by less than 0.1%, Malaysia’s KLCI has a 0.3% loss, and the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia trades down by 0.2%.

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January 14, 2020

Asian markets are higher for a second consecutive day Tuesday as investors are ready for the signing of the phase one trade deal between the U.S. and China. There’s also optimism ahead of the start of earnings season in the U.S., with major banks getting ready to report on their fourth quarter results beginning Tuesday with JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, and others. Expectations are for good results despite three rate cuts in 2019 and the trade war that went on all through 2019.

In Japan investors are coming back from a holiday extended three day weekend, sending the Nikkei higher by 0.8% after the Yen softened overnight and nearly topped the 110 level versus the U.S. dollar. A weaker Yen is positive for Japan’s exporters.

On mainland China the Shanghai Composite is trading 0.2% higher, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite has edged up by 0.1%. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng remains at an eight month high as it is 0.4% higher and has passed the 29,000 level.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 is recovering from a loss in the previous session and trades 0.8% higher. Gains are coming from the tech space, from the major miners, and from financials. Gold miners are weak, and the oil stocks are mixed.

South Korea’s Kospi is leading gains for the region, rising 0.9% and adding to the 1% gain from the prior session. In Taiwan the Taiex has a 0.4% gain.

Southeast Asian markets are also making broad based gains, with the Straits Times in Singapore rising 0.4% and the KLCI in Malaysia adding 0.1%.

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January 13, 2020

Asian markets are mixed Monday morning, with Shanghai and Sydney falling, while Hong Kong and Seoul are gaining. Markets in Japan are closed for a public holiday. Investors received weak signals as last Friday’s U.S. nonfarm payrolls data was weaker than expected, and equities fell off their record highs.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 is trading lower by 0.5% after adding 2.3% last week. Major miners are ticking lower across the board, with BHP losing 0.9%, while Rio Tinto is off by 0.4%, and Fortescue Metals has a 0.2% loss. Crude stocks are also broadly lower after crude fell for the fourth consecutive session last Friday. The tech space is seeing sharp losses, but the gold miners are helping to keep losses in check.

On mainland China the Shanghai Composite has dropped 0.3% at the open, but the Shenzhen Composite is holding onto a gain of less than 0.1%. In Hong Kong the Hang Seng is trading 0.3% higher, adding to the 2% gains made over the past two sessions.

In South Korea the Kospi is leading gains for the region, trading up by 0.7% as investors continue sending the index higher after it reached an eight month high last Friday. Shares of Hyundai Motors are gaining 1.8%, while rival Kia Motors edges lower by 0.1%. In Taiwan the Taiex trades 0.5% higher.

Southeast Asian markets are also mixed. Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite leads with a gain of 0.2%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index is up by less than 0.1% and the KLCI in Malaysia is lower by less than 0.1%.

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January 10, 2020

Asian markets are trading mostly higher on Friday with results more modest now that geopolitical tensions have cooled and as investors are now looking ahead to the signing of the phase one trade deal between the U.S. and China. Earnings are also coming into focus as the fourth quarter earnings season is set to begin next week with the results from America’s biggest banks.

Japan’s Nikkei is up by 0.3% with weakness from the Yen helping keep momentum going for Japan’s multi-national companies. Shares of Sony are 0.7% higher, Sharp is trading 1.2% higher, and shares of convenience store operator Family Mart are 3.1% higher as investors are preparing for the company to report its quarterly results.

Mainland China’s markets have gotten off to a tepid start, with the Shanghai Composite and Shenzhen Composite 0.1% lower. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is flat with a loss of less than 0.1%, although Apple suppliers AAC Technologies and Sunny Optical are trading higher by 1.4% and 1.6% respectively after Apple reported overnight that December sales of iPhones in China jumped higher by 18%.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 is off to a good start, trading 0.7% higher heading into the afternoon. The big four banks are lifting the broader index, trading higher in the range of 0.4% to 0.9%

In South Korea the Kospi has a 0.4% gain, and in Taiwan the Taiex is 0.2% higher.

Southeast Asian markets are mixed, with Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite up 0.2% and Singapore’s Straits Times rising 0.1%, while Malaysia’s KLCI has a 0.2% loss.

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January 09, 2020

Asian markets are making strong gains on Thursday, clawing back losses from the prior session in response to an overnight speech by U.S. President Donald Trump in which he said Iran is “standing down” and is not interested in escalating violence further with the United States.

Japan’s Nikkei is leading the charge higher, gaining 1.9% in early trade. A weaker is helping lift shares of Japan’s exporters. Shares of Sony are 2.3% higher, and Softbank has a 1% gain, but oil exploration and production company Inpex is dropping 3.3%.

On mainland China the Shanghai Composite is trading 0.7% higher, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite has a 1.3% gain. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is also rallying strongly, trading up by 1.1% as Tencent gains 1.7% and Alibaba is trading 1.4% higher.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 has a gain of 0.93%. Financials are recovering from losses, with the big four banks trading flat to gains of 0.9%. With risk assets back in play the gold stocks are lower, with Evolution Mining 1.9% lower and Newcrest Mining trading 2.6% lower. Shares of oil stocks are also lower after crude suffered a shock drop overnight.

In South Korea the Kospi has a 1.1% gain, with index heavy weight Samsung rallying for a second consecutive session, rising 2.3%, and in Taiwan the Taiex trades 1.3% higher.

Southeast Asian markets are also rising, with the Straits Times in Singapore trading up by 0.3%, Malaysia’s KLCI 0.4% higher, and the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia leading with a 0.6% gain.

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January 02, 2020

Asian traders returned to markets on Thursday following the New Year holiday. The exception to this was in Japan, where markets will remain closed until next Monday. Markets across the region were mostly higher, with Chinese markets jumping after The People’s Bank of China announced on Wednesday they will reduce the reserve requirements for banks once again.

The last time the PBoC reduced the reserve requirement was in September. This time around it’s expected the move will release roughly $115 billion for long-term lending.

Mainland China’s Shanghai Composite jumped 1.4% on the news, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite soared 1.7%. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng traded up by 1.2%, with investors disregarding the protests on New Year’s Day that had police out in force with water cannons and tear gas.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 is up by 0.3%, slightly offsetting its huge loss of 1.8% from New Year’s Eve which wiped $40 billion from the market cap of the index. The big four banks are mostly lower in the range of 0.1% to 0.5%, although Commonwealth Bank is up by 0.2%. Major miners are rising, with BHP adding 0.5% and Rio Tinto trading 0.9% higher.

In South Korea the Kospi has a loss of 0.8%, with index heavy weight losing 0.5%. In Taiwan the Taiex has a 0.8% gain in response to the Chinese stimulus measures.

In Southeast Asia markets have broad based gains. The KLCI in Malaysia is trading 0.4% higher, the Straits Times in Singapore is gaining 0.3%, and Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite is up by 0.2%.

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january 01, 2020

Asian markets are closed for trading due to the New Year holiday. Trading will resume on Thursday. Markets will almost certainly be muted as many investors will be away from the markets until next Monday. The major driving force for trade will be the signing of the phase one trade deal between the U.S. and China.

Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He is expected to arrive in Washington on Saturday to sign the trade deal, but President Trump has said he won’t sign the trade deal until January 15, which will keep investors on the edge of their seats.

Markets were mostly lower heading into the New Year holiday, with Australia leading the way lower as its benchmark S&P/ASX 200 lost 1.8% on Tuesday. Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.8% as well, while South Korea’s Kospi posted a modest drop of 0.3%.

Meanwhile Chinese markets were mixed, with the Shanghai Composite on the mainland rising 0.3%, and the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite rising 0.5%. In Hong Kong the Hang Seng failed to follow the mainland’s lead, falling 0.5% ahead of the holiday.

Meanwhile global markets also finished the year with modest losses ahead of the New Year holiday. Those losses barely dented the annual gains for markets however. The S&P 500 returned 28.9% over the course of the year, while the Dow Industrials gained 22.3% in 2019, and the Nasdaq was 35.2% higher for the year.

Globally Germany’s DAX added 25.2% for the year, and in France the CAC 40 advanced 27.5%, while China’s Shanghai Composite rose 23.3% in 2019.

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December 31, 2019

Asian markets are falling Tuesday following a weak session on Wall Street as investors look to book profits in thin holiday trade with some markets closing in advance of the New Year holiday.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 is significantly lower, losing 1.8% in a holiday shortened trading session with the market scheduled to resume trading on Thursday following the New Year. The major miners are lower, with BHP falling 1.3%, Rio Tinto retreating 1.2%, and Fortescue Metals losing 1.8%. The big four banks are also lower in the range of 0.7% to 1.5%. Gold miners are bucking the falling trend however, with Newcrest Mining gaining 0.6%, and Evolution Mining rising 2.4% after gold hit a three month high overnight.

In mainland China the Shanghai Composite has opened slightly lower by less than 0.1%, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite has a 0.3% gain to buck the falling trend across the region. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is trading lower by 0.5%. Apple supplier AAC Technologies is 1.8% higher, but rival Sunny Optical has a 0.6% loss. Market favorite Alibaba is down 1.6%, and tech giant Tencent has a loss of 2% as investors take profits.

Japan is closed today and tomorrow, with trading resuming on Thursday. Markets are also closed in South Korea. In Taiwan the Taiex is trading 0.3% lower ahead of the New Year holiday.

In Southeast Asia markets are mixed. Singapore’s Straits Times is flat, with a slight gain, while Malaysia’s KLCI is falling 0.9%. Markets in Indonesia and Thailand are closed on New Year’s Eve.

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December 18, 2019

Asian markets opened to tepid action, but have begun to develop upside momentum, with most markets across the region trading modestly higher Wednesday.

Japan’s Nikkei is the exception as it trades down by 0.3% partially due to the returning strength in the Yen now that traders are less concerned with the phase one U.S.-China trade deal. Shares of Family Mart are 0.6% lower, giving back some of the more than 2% gains from the prior session. Nintendo is also dropping sharply, losing 2.2% in early action in Tokyo.

Mainland China’s Shanghai Composite opened flat, but has since turned higher and now has a 0.3% gain. The smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is trading up by 0.4%, and in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is following suit with its own gain of 0.4%. Shares of Apple supplier Sunny Optical trade 0.6% higher.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 is trading modestly higher by 0.2%. Miners are taking a breather, with BHP flat and Rio Tinto losing 1%. The big four banks are mixed as ANZ is flat, NAB has a 0.5% loss, Commonwealth Bank is 0.1% higher, and Westpac has a 0.1% loss.

In South Korea the Kospi is flat with a slight gain, and index heavy weight Samsung is modestly lower by 0.2% after rising more than 2% yesterday. In Taiwan the Taiex is edging lower by 0.1%.

Southeast Asian markets trade mixed as Singapore’s Straits Times gains 0.4%, but the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia is 0.1% lower, and the KLCI in Malaysia is flat with a loss of less than 0.1%.

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December 13, 2019

Asian markets are mixed and little changed Monday as investors weigh the impact of the recently announced phase one trade deal between the U.S. and China.

Australia is an obvious outlier today as its S&P/ASX 200 is trading 1.2% higher. That move is being led by the big four banks and by the major miners. Among the big four banks, shares of ANZ are 1.1% higher, NAB has a 1.1% gain too, Commonwealth Bank is up by 1.3%, and Westpac is rising 1.4%. Among the major miners BHP is gaining 1.3%, Rio Tinto has advanced 0.6%, and Fortescue Metals trades up by 0.4%.

Mainland Chinese investors are far more subdued over the trade deal news, with the Shanghai Composite lower by less than 0.1%. The smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is up by 0.5% however, and over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng trades up by less than 0.1%.

Japan’s Nikkei is flat too, trading lower by less than 0.1%, even though the Yen is weaker, supporting shares of Japanese exporters. Sony is up by 0.4%, while rival Nintendo is seeing its shares surge 2% higher. Japanese banks aren’t doing as well though, with Mitsubishi UFJ shares falling 1.3%.

In South Korea the Kospi is flat as well, trading higher by less than 0.1%, while Taiwan’s Taiex has a 0.3% gain.

In Southeast Asia markets are mixed, with the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia leading gainers as it rises 0.4% in early action, while the Straits Times in Singapore has a 0.1% gain. Over in Malaysia the KLCI trades down by 0.3%.

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December 12, 2019

Asian markets are mixed on Thursday after the Federal Reserve signaled interest rates are likely to remain accommodating and unchanged throughout 2020, but the imminent U.K. general election and a deadline for U.S.-China tariff hikes kept investors cautious.

In Japan the Nikkei is trading 0.2% higher, despite the Yen remaining strong versus the U.S. dollar. Traders had been hoping the Fed decision would take some of the strength out of the Yen, but the combination of upcoming tariff hikes and the U.K. elections has kept demand for haven assets like the Yen high.

In mainland China the Shanghai Composite has opened to a 0.1% loss, but the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is trading up less than 0.1%. Meanwhile over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng has leapt 1.2% higher in early trade apparently on optimism over the Federal Reserve monetary policy stance.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 has dropped 0.7% as the technology sector has come under pressure. Investors are also pushing shares of Westpac Bank 1.2% lower as the bank holds its annual general meeting to mostly displeasure from shareholders. That’s also pulling the other big four banks lower.

In South Korea the Kospi has surged 1.2% higher on optimism over the Federal Reserve decision too, while Taiwan’s Taiex has jumped 1.3% higher to lead gains in the region.

Southeast Asian markets are also broadly higher. Singapore’s Straits Times Index is trading up by 0.9%, while the KLCI in Malaysia has a 0.5% gain, and the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia is off to a 0.1% lead at the open.

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December 11, 2019

Asian markets are mixed with little changes on Wednesday as investors remain on hold ahead of the release of the latest Federal Reserve monetary policy statement later in the day.

Japan’s Nikkei is trading down by 0.3% as the Yen remains strong versus rivals, weighing on the stocks of Japan’s multinational corporations. Shares of Sony are 0.5% lower, Nintendo has an 0.8% loss, and Mitsubishi UFJ has a 1.2% loss.

In mainland China the Shanghai Composite has lost less than 0.1% while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is falling 0.3%. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is trading down by less than 0.1% as well and is looking at its third consecutive losing session. Shares of Apple supplier AAC Technologies is 1.5% higher, but its rival Sunny Optical is lower by 0.2%.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 trades 0.2% higher, with the big four banks mixed, but mostly higher. Commonwealth Bank is leading with a gain of 0.8%. Major miners are edging higher today after two solid days of gains, and gold miners are climbing with Evolution Mining adding 1.7%. Oil stocks are rising for a second day, with Santos adding 0.4% and Oil Search up 1.3%.

South Korea’s Kospi has a 0.3% gain, as index heavy weight Samsung is rising 0.6%. In Taiwan the Taiex is leading gains for the region as it is rising 0.4%.

Southeast Asian markets are mostly higher as the KLCI in Malaysia has a 0.3% gain, the Straits Times in Singapore is 0.2% higher, but the Jakarta Composite has slipped lower by 0.01%.

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December 10, 2019

Asian markets are mostly edging lower on Tuesday as investors are taking their cue from the overnight losses on Wall Street. There’s also an unwillingness to take any large positions ahead of Wednesday’s Federal Reserve monetary policy statement in the U.S, and the upcoming December 15 deadline for adding more tariffs to Chinese imports in the U.S. Also under consideration is the ECB monetary policy meeting, and Thursday’s Parliamentary elections in the U.K.

Heading into the afternoon session the Australian S&P/ASX 200 is trading 0.3% lower, with investors also facing some hesitation following the poor Chinese export data released on Monday. Miners are still doing well however, with BHP up 1% and Rio Tinto gaining 1.2%. The big four banks are a drag however, trading lower in the range of 0.3% to 1.5%.

In mainland China the Shanghai Composite has fallen 0.3% in early trade, with the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite posting its own 0.3% loss as well. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is struggling near unchanged levels, trading lower by 0.1%.

In Japan the Nikkei has a loss of 0.2% as the Yen remains basically flat versus the U.S. dollar at the 108.50 level.

South Korea’s Kospi is bucking the falling trend around the region, rising 0.3% instead, while the Taiex in Taiwan has a loss of 0.2%.

Southeast Asian markets are trading mixed. Singapore’s Straits Times is nearly flat with a loss of less than 0.1%, while Malaysia’s KLCI has a 0.2% loss, but the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia is trading up by 0.1%.

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December 09, 2019

Asian markets are mostly higher on Monday morning, lifted by optimism following the strong U.S. jobs number from last Friday. Chinese markets are edging lower however after November exports fell more than expected. It’s the fourth consecutive month of falling exports for China, and investors are worried the trade war is finally taking its toll.

Mainland China’s Shanghai Composite was trading 0.1% lower, and the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is matching that with a 0.1% drop as well. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is also lower by 0.1%. Losses have been somewhat muted by rising imports to China, which could mean demand is recovering.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 has a gain of 0.2%, with the modest upside coming on positive cues from the U.S. Major miners are broadly higher, with BHP and Rio Tinto both rising 1.4%, while Fortescue Metals is adding 1.2%. Oil stocks are also higher, with Santos 2.1% higher, Oil Search jumping 2.6%, and Woodside Petroleum gaining 2.1%.

Japan’s Nikkei has a gain of 0.3%, although the Yen is continuing in its strength against the U.S. dollar, despite the solid jobs number from the U.S. last Friday.

In South Korea the Kospi is leading the region as it is up by 0.4%, while the Taiex in Taiwan is also rising 0.4% to share the regional lead with South Korea.

Southeast Asian markets are mixed as the Straits Times Index in Singapore has a slight loss of less than 0.1%, Malaysia’s KLCI is down 0.3%, but the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia is trading 0.3% higher.

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December 06, 2019

Asian markets were broadly higher Friday as investors looked ahead to the U.S. non-farm payrolls due out later in the day, while also betting the December 15 deadline would pass without the U.S. imposing additional tariffs on Chinese goods.

In Japan the Nikkei is trading 0.3% higher on investor’s optimism over the U.S.-China trade negotiations and as the Yen has seemingly found a bottom versus the U.S. dollar. Even though the broader market is higher, shares of Softbank have retreated 0.4% and Sony is falling 0.6%. Offsetting that somewhat is a 0.7% rise in Fast Retailing shares.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 is climbing 0.3% higher as it continues to rebound from the substantial losses suffered early in the week. Despite the broader market being higher there are losses across many sectors. Both the miners and the oil space are lower, while the big four banks and gold miners are mixed.

In mainland China the Shanghai Composite has a gain of 0.2%, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is rising twice as much with a 0.4% gain. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is outperforming, rising 0.7% and extending gains from the prior session.

South Korea’s Kospi is leading the region, adding 0.8% as index heavy weight Samsung has jumped 2.2% higher at the open. Taiwan’s Taiex has a gain of 0.4%.

In Southeast Asia the markets are broadly, but modestly higher. The Straits Times in Singapore is trading up by 0.2%, while Malaysia’s KLCI and the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia are matching it with their own 0.2% additions.

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December 05, 2019

Asian markets are trading broadly higher for the first time this week in response to an improved outlook regarding the potential for a U.S.-China phase one trade deal. Bloomberg reported overnight that unnamed sources close to the negotiations have said they are near a deal, which has improved sentiment in equity markets around the world.

In Japan the Nikkei has a 0.7% gain, with exporters getting a boost from a weaker Yen today as the trade news has dulled demand for haven assets. After losing more than 5% in the previous session, shares of Fast Retailing are up by 1.2% today, while Panasonic shares trade 0.5% higher.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 is trading 0.9% higher after severe losses over the past two sessions, partially in response to the Reserve Bank of Australia keeping interest rates on hold. The big four banks are rebounding strongly, gaining from 0.9% to 2.7%.

Mainland Chinese markets are trading higher too, with the Shanghai Composite 0.6% higher and the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite gaining 0.8%. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is trading up by 0.6%, erasing roughly half of the prior sessions’ losses.

South Korea’s Kospi is having a more muted reaction to the trade news, and is up by just 0.1%, while the Taiex in Taiwan has jumped 0.7% higher in early trade.

In Southeast Asia markets are also broadly higher. Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite is leading with a 0.6% gain, while the Straits Times in Singapore is up by 0.5%, and the KLCI in Malaysia is 0.2% higher.

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December 04, 2019

Asian markets are falling sharply again on Wednesday as investors react to the overnight speech by President Trump in London, during which he said “A China trade deal is dependent on one thing — do I want to make it.” Later, he added: “I have no deadline, no. In some ways, I think it’s better to wait until after the election if you want to know the truth. But I’m not going to say that, I just think that.”

In addition, the French Finance Minister struck back at the notion of U.S. tariffs on luxury French goods, saying the notion was “simply unacceptable” and that Europe would strike back in the event such tariffs were implemented.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 is plunging for a second consecutive day, losing 1.6% with broad based losses across all sectors. The big four banks are down in a range of 0.9% to 2.3%. Major miners are sharply lower, with BHP falling 2.7%, Rio Tinto losing 2.6%, and Fortescue Metals falling 2.7% as well. Even the gold miners are under pressure despite overnight gains for gold, and Evolution Mining has lost 3.2%.

In Japan the Nikkei is 1.3% lower as Japanese multi-national companies are also coming under pressure from the substantially stronger Yen over the past two sessions.

In mainland China the Shanghai Composite is down by 0.4%, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is down less than 0.1%. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng has a loss of 1.4%.

South Korea’s Kospi is 1% lower, and in Taiwan the Taiex is trading down by 0.3%.

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December 03, 2019

Asian markets are broadly lower Tuesday in response to tariff threats from President Trump overnight. In addition to saying tariffs on steel and aluminum from Argentina and Brazil would be re-enacted immediately, he also threatened $2.4 billion in tariffs on French goods.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 is leading losses, falling 2.1% in its worst daily loss in nine weeks as it heads into the afternoon. Analysts are calling the drop overdone, as the index had been trading at all-time highs recently. In addition to the big four banks trading lower in the range of 1.1% to 2.3%, shares of miners are also falling sharply. BHP is down 1.6%, while Rio Tinto shares have lost 1.1%, and Fortescue Metals trades down 1.7%.

In Japan the Nikkei has lost 1% in early trade as the Yen strengthened significantly overnight versus the U.S. dollar. Shares of Fast Retailing are down 0.8% and Toyota has lost 0.6%, but Nintendo is gaining 1.8% as analysts see a huge holiday buying season for the company’s Switch gaming console.

In mainland China the Shanghai Composite trades down by 0.5%, and the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is matching that with its own 0.5% drop. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is losing 0.6%.

In South Korea the Kospi is trading 0.8% lower, and in Taiwan the Taiex is once again bucking the regional trend, rising 0.1% in early trade.

Southeast Asian markets trade mixed, with Malaysia’s KLCI 0.6% lower, and the Straits Times in Singapore off by 0.2%, while Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite has opened to a 0.1% gain.

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December 02, 2019

Asian markets are trading broadly higher Monday morning after a private reading of Chinese factory activity came in stronger than expected for November, raising hopes for a developing recovery in the faltering economy.

The Caixin Markit manufacturing activity index came in at 51.8 for November, beating expectations for a 51.4 reading and beating the October reading of 51.7. Official data also showed November manufacturing PMI to be at 50.2, exceeding expectations of a 49.5 reading, and the October mark of 49.3. A reading above 50 indicates a growing economy.

Mainland China’s Shanghai Composite is up by 0.5% in early trade in reaction to the data, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite has a 0.4% gain. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is rising 0.6%.

Japan’s Nikkei is outperforming, trading 1% higher in morning trade as the Yen is weakening towards the 110.00 level against the U.S. dollar. The weaker Yen is beneficial for Japanese multi-national companies.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 has a 0.5% gain, with the big four banks strongly higher, gaining in the range of 0.9% to 1.3%, although NAB is only up 0.2%. The strong Chinese factory data is also helping mining shares, with Rio Tinto adding 0.7%, and Fortescue Metals trading 0.9% higher.

In South Korea the Kospi is rising 0.3%, while Taiwan’s Taiex is bucking the rising trend across the region with a modest loss of 0.1%.

Southeast Asian markets are broadly higher, with Malaysia’s KLCI rising 0.4%, the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia 0.3% higher, and the Straits Times in Singapore edging up 0.1%.

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November 28, 2019

Asian markets are mixed, but mostly lower Thursday after President Trump signed a bill supporting the pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs blasted the U.S. for implementing the bill, calling it plain bullying behavior, and an interference into Chinese domestic politics.

Mainland China’s Shanghai Composite trades down by 0.2%, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite has a loss of less than 0.1%. Both indices are heading lower in early morning trade. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is falling as well, trading lower by 0.2% as investors fear the U.S. move will cause Beijing to interfere in the protests.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 is holding to a 0.3% gain, continuing further into record territory despite the scandal at Westpac continuing to weigh on markets. Investors remain emboldened by hopes for more rate cuts from the Reserve Bank of Australia and the continued records being set on Wall Street.

In Japan the Nikkei is flat, with a slight gain as the Yen continues to fall versus the U.S. dollar, giving a boost to Japan’s multi-national companies. The Yen is now at its weakest since May, and looks to be ready to soften further given the recent strong economic news from the U.S.

Elsewhere South Korea’s Kospi has dropped 0.2%, and in Taiwan the Taiex is trading lower by less than 0.1%.

In Southeast Asia markets are mostly lower, with the Straits Times in Singapore falling 0.3%, and the KLCI losing 0.2%. In Indonesia the Jakarta Composite has moved higher by less than 0.1% at the open.

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November 27, 2019

Asian markets are mostly higher Wednesday morning, tracking overnight gains and fresh record closing highs on Wall Street as optimism over what appears to be the imminent trade deal between the U.S. and China.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that “We’re in the final throes of a very deal. I guess you could say one of the most important deals in trade ever.”

In Japan the Nikkei is trading 0.4% higher as the Yen remains weak versus the U.S. dollar, giving multi-national companies a boost.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 is 0.6% higher, leading gains for the region. Most sectors are higher, but the big four banks are mixed as Westpac is trading 0.7% lower a day after its CEO announced his resignation in connection with money-laundering allegations. Commonwealth Bank is leading the sector with a 1% gain. Healthcare is leading gainers for a second consecutive day, and the mining sector is seeing BHP rising 0.7% and Rio Tinto up 0.9%.

Mainland China’s Shanghai Composite has started the day in the red, trading lower by 0.3% and the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite has a 0.7% loss. Meanwhile over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is flat, with a slight gain of less than 0.1%.

In South Korea the Kospi trades up by 0.3%, and Taiwan’s Taiex is 0.3% higher as well after opening in the red.

In Southeast Asia shares are mixed, with Singapore’s Straits Times up 0.3% and the KLCI in Malaysia adding 0.1%, while Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite has an early loss of 0.2%.

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November 26, 2019

Hopes for a breakthrough in the U.S.-China trade deal remained high Tuesday in Asia as investors saw the weekend move by China to increase penalties on intellectual property violations as a positive in the trade negotiations. Intellectual property rights have been a sticking point for the U.S., so the move by China is thought to be moving the two sides closer to a deal.

In mainland China the Shanghai Composite rose 0.2%, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite added 0.5% and reversed its losses from the previous session. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng gained 0.5%, adding to its 1.5% gain from the prior day, with the rally inspired by the commanding victory of pro-democracy candidates in community-level elections.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 is 1% higher, with the big four banks gaining broadly, and Westpac leading the way with a 1.7% gain. Miners are gaining for a second consecutive day, with Fortescue Metals leading there as it is rising 1.9%.

In Japan the Nikkei is up by 1.1% as the Yen continues to soften versus the U.S. dollar, which helps Japanese multi-nationals. Shares of Sony are up 1.7% today, and Nintendo has a 0.8% gain, while Softbank is trading down by 0.2%.

In South Korea the Kospi has risen 0.6%, with index heavy weight Samsung jumping 1.9% higher today. In Taiwan the Taiex is up by 0.6% in early trade.

Southeast Asian markets are mixed as Singapore’s Straits Times has fallen 0.1%, but the KLCI in Malaysia is 0.2% higher and Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite has a slight gain.

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November 25, 2019

Asian markets are rebounding from last week’s losses on Monday morning as investors try to remain optimistic regarding a trade deal between the U.S. and China.

Mainland China’s Shanghai Composite has opened to a gain of 0.4%, however the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is trading lower by 0.6%. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is leading gains for the region with a move higher of 1.5% as investors hope U.S. support for pro-democracy protesters will help resolve the protests that have been going on since June in the city.

In Japan the Nikkei has a gain of 0.9%, helped by weakness from the Yen against the U.S. dollar for a third consecutive day. Shares of Fast Retailing are up by 0.8%, and convenience store operator Family Mart is extending its rally with a gain of 1.6%. Financials are also doing well today, with Dai-Ichi Life Insurance 2.2% higher, and Mitsubishi UFJ up 1%.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 has a 0.5% gain, with the big four banks mixed as NAB and Westpac are falling, while ANZ and Commonwealth Bank hold to gains. Miners are showing strength and BHP is up by 1.8%, while Rio Tinto trades 2% higher, and Forescue Metals gains 2.3%.

In South Korea the Kospi is trading up by 1.1%, helped by a 1.6% gain from index heavyweight Samsung. Taiwan’s Taiex is rising too, but only by a modest 0.2%.

In Southeast Asia markets are mixed. The Straits Times in Singapore is 0.4% higher, but Malaysia’s KLCI is 0.2% lower, and in Indonesia the Jakarta Composite is flat.

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November 22, 2019

Asian markets have shrugged off negative sentiment caused by increased tensions between the U.S. and China after Beijing said it had invited U.S. negotiators to a face-to-face meeting. There is still no phase one deal in place, but the news has restored hope that a deal can be done before the end of the year.

In mainland China the Shanghai Composite is rising 0.6% in early trade, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is leading as it advances 0.8%. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng has a 0.5% gain, although things remain tense due to the ongoing protests.

In Japan the Nikkei has gained 0.7% in morning trade thanks to weakness in the Yen versus the USD late yesterday and in early Asian trade today. Shares of Sony are up 1.1%, but Nintendo is sliding 2.8% lower. Financials are doing well, with Mitsubishi UFJ up 0.7%, while Dai-ichi Life Insurance has a 1.8% gain.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 trades 0.6% higher as the afternoon gets started in Sydney. The big four banks are mixed, with Commonwealth Bank rising 0.4%, NAB advancing 0.2%, ANZ flat, and Westpac down 1.4% as it continues to struggle under the weight of money laundering accusations.

In South Korea the Kospi has a gain of 0.3% and is looking to snap a six session losing streak, and in Taiwan the Taiex is flat with a loss of less than 0.1%.

Southeast Asian markets are mixed, with Singapore’s Straits Times trading 0.4% higher, but the KLCI in Malaysia and the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia both 0.1% lower.

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November 21, 2019

Asian markets are sliding lower for a second consecutive day as hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal have diminished significantly over the past few days. The growing pessimism comes as the U.S. has backed Hong Kong in its pro-democracy protests, causing a further rift between the U.S. and China that could well hamper any potential progress on a trade deal.

In Japan the Nikkei has slumped 1.73% in morning trade, with the Yen strengthening against the USD for the ninth time in the past ten sessions. Shares of Sony have dropped 1.8%, and Fast Retailing is down 0.8%, while Toyota Motors has a 1.2% loss.

Japan’s isn’t the worst loss in the region though, as Hong Kong’s Hang Seng has lost 2% in early trade. Over in mainland China the Shanghai Composite is 0.5% lower at the open, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite has a matching loss of 0.5%.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 is heading into its afternoon with a loss of 1.2%. The big four banks are leading the drop, with ANZ shares falling 0.7%, NAB losing 1%, Commonwealth Bank down 0.2%, and Westpac off by 2.6%. Major miners are also sharply lower, with BHP down 1.8% and Rio Tinto falling 1.4%.

In South Korea the Kospi has a loss of 1.5%, with index heavy weight Samsung losing 2.1%. In Taiwan the Taiex has lost 1.2% in early morning trade.

Southeast Asian markets have broad based losses as well, with the Straits Times in Singapore losing 1.2%, and the KLCI in Malaysia trading down by 0.6%.

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November 19, 2019

Asian markets were mixed and little changed for another session early on Tuesday as investors continue to await news regarding the phase one trade deal between the U.S. and China.

In Japan the Nikkei is 0.4% lower as the Yen is firming against the U.S. dollar for a second consecutive day, weighing on shares of Japanese multi-national companies. Shares of Sony are 1.3% lower in early trade, and Toyota is 0.7% lower. Robotics manufacturer Fanuc trades 1.2% lower, but Nintendo is bucking the falling trend and is up by 0.6%.

On mainland China the Shanghai Composite has a 0.1% gain at the open, but the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite has jumped 0.5% higher. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is gaining for a second day, rising 0.5% from the open. Insurer AIA is higher for a second consecutive day with a gain of 0.6%, and social media giant Tencent is 1.2% higher.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 trades 0.2% higher, despite modest losses of 0.1% to 0.4% for the big four banks.  Major miners are creeping higher, with Rio Tinto adding 0.6% and gold miner Evolution Mining tacking on 0.3%. Oil stocks are also making modest gains, and overall trading volumes are low today.

In South Korea the Kospi is leading losses for the region, falling 0.7% and in Taiwan the Taiex trades up by 0.3%.

In Southeast Asia markets are mostly lower, with Singapore’s Straits Times Index losing 0.7%, and the KLCI in Malaysia down 0.5% at the open, while Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite has a 0.1% opening gain.

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November 18, 2019

Asian markets have opened mixed on Monday morning as investors await news regarding the U.S.-China trade deal. The new records set last Friday on Wall Street are helping support markets across the region, although Australia and South Korea are still struggling to get into positive territory.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 is trading 0.5% lower, leading losses in the Asian region. The big four banks are trading lower in a range of 0.3% to 1.2%, and while the major miners are mostly flat, the gold miners are falling in response to gold trading significantly lower last Friday. Evolution Mining has a 1% loss, while Newcrest Mining is falling 1.2%.

In Japan the Nikkei has a 0.3% gain, helped by slight weakness from the Yen against the U.S. dollar and optimism in response to the new record closes on Wall Street. Shares of Fast Retailing are up 0.4% and Sony has leapt higher by 1.7%. On the other side of the market Softbank shares are 0.5% lower, and Toyota Motors is down 0.1%.

Mainland China’s Shanghai Composite has started the day with gains, and is up by 0.3% an hour into the trading day. The smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is matching the 0.3% gain, while over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is leading gains for the region as it’s jumped 0.9% higher, however there are reports of protestors and police colliding again, with tear gas canisters being fired, and that could see these early gains evaporate.

In South Korea the Kospi is trading 0.2% lower, while Taiwan’s Taiex has a 0.3% gain.

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November 14, 2019

Asian markets are trading mostly higher Thursday morning as investors await key Chinese data that will give a clearer picture of how much the 16-month old trade war is hurting the world’s second largest economy. It’s expected that the data will show industrial output cooled somewhat in October, but retail sales made modest gains.

Ahead of the data mainland China’s Shanghai Composite is trading up by 0.1% and the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is matching that with its own 0.1% gain. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is 0.1% lower as concerns over the escalation of violence remain to weigh on equities.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 is trading 0.6% higher heading into the afternoon as weaker than expected jobs data has sparked hopes for further rate cuts from the Reserve Bank of Australia. Technology and retail stocks are leading gains for the index, and the big four banks are up in the range of 0.2% to 0.6%, although shares of National Australia Bank are trading 0.3% lower after going ex-dividend.

In Japan the Nikkei is basically flat, with shares of multi-national company’s under pressure as the Yen has been gaining on the U.S. dollar due to haven demand.

South Korea’s Kospi trades 0.4% higher, and in Taiwan the Taiex is bucking the rising trend in the region with an early loss of 0.2%.

Southeast Asian markets are flat to slightly lower, with the Straits Times in Singapore and the KLCI in Malaysia both nearly unchanged, while the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia has a loss of 0.1%.

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November 13, 2019

Asian markets are trading broadly lower Wednesday morning as investors fear U.S.-China trade talks are stalling out after President Trump failed to deliver news regarding the negotiations when speaking Tuesday at the Economic Club of New York.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is leading the way lower for the region with a 2.1% fall as protests have heated up again on the island nation. Over on mainland China the Shanghai Composite has dropped 0.4% at the open, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite has a loss of 0.4% also, with the downward momentum accelerating.

Japan’s Nikkei is trading 0.9% lower as well, but could reverse in the afternoon as the Yen has begin to weaken versus the U.S. dollar, which is typically bullish for Japanese multi-national corporations. Already Sony is trading 0.7% higher, but Nintendo shares are 1.2% lower. Shares of Family Mart are trading lower by 1.6%, giving back some of the gains made in the prior session.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 trades 0.5% lower, with mining shares showing weakness for a second consecutive session. BHP Group is down 1.2%, while Rio Tinto has a loss of 1.9%, and Fortescue Metals is falling 2%.

In South Korea the Kospi is down 0.9%, with shares of index heavy weight Samsung trading 0.8% lower, while the Taiex in Taiwan has a 0.4% loss heading into the lunch break.

Southeast Asian markets are also broadly lower, with the Straits Times in Singapore leading with a 0.9% drop, while Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite is 0.1% lower, and the KLCI in Malaysia has lost 0.3%.

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November 12, 2019

Asian markets are trading cautiously on Tuesday as investor risk appetite has waned in response to the violence in Hong Kong, and the reduced chances of phase one of a U.S.-China trade deal being settled by the end of the year.

Japan’s Nikkei is one of the best performing indices in the region, rising a modest 0.1%. Shares of Softbank are falling 0.5%, but Sony shares are up by 0.7%. Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing is having a good day with its shares rising 1.2%, while Family Mart outperforms with a 3.1% gain.

In Australia the S&P/ASX 200 has surrendered a three month high, with the index falling 0.6%. Miners are underperforming today as iron ore prices have slid another 6% after China reported iron ore imports for October fell sharply. Shares of BHP are down 1%, while Rio Tinto is 0.9% lower and Fortescue Metals shares have fallen 3.5%.

In mainland China the Shanghai Composite has a small loss of less than 0.1%, but the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is down 0.3%. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is recovering from the huge 2.6% loss in the previous session and has a 0.3% gain today, however the recovery is fragile as protests continue.

In South Korea the Kospi is inching up by less than 0.1%, and in Taiwan the Taiex trades up by 0.42% to lead gains in the region.

Southeast Asian markets are mostly lower with the Jakarta Composite in Indonesia losing 0.2% and the KLCI in Malaysia falling 0.1%. Singapore’s Straits Times Index is up by 0.3%.

November 11, 2019

Asian markets edged higher at the open Monday after President Trump said over the weekend talks with China are going well. They gave up the gains later in the morning after two protesters in Hong Kong were shot by police, and Chinese markets opened sharply lower in response to weekend data showing a slowdown in Chinese factory activity.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 remains higher, rising 0.5% as the big four banks are rebounding following sharp losses last week. ANZ is up by 0.5%, NAB has a 1.4% gain, Commonwealth Bank is rising 1.2%, and Westpac is 1.1% higher. Miners are offsetting gains with Rio Tinto 2% lower, and BHP down 0.7%.

Mainland Chinese stocks opened lower and are weighing on the region, with the Shanghai Composite losing 0.9% and the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite 1.1% lower. These losses are coming in response to data showing weakness from Chinese factory activity. One bright spot is Alibaba’s Single’s Day, which has racked up $13 billion in sales in its first hour, highlighting the continuing strength of the Chinese consumer.

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng has opened to a 1.5% loss and is leading losses in the Asian region after police shot two protesters during the morning commute. In Japan the Nikkei opened modestly higher, but has given back gains to trade down by 0.2%.

South Korea’s Kospi has a 0.8% loss, and in Taiwan the Taiex is 0.88% lower.

Southeast Asian markets are also falling, with the Straits Times Index in Singapore 0.5% lower, and Malaysia’s KLCI opening to a 0.1% loss.

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November 8, 2019

Asian markets are trading mixed on Friday morning, despite the overnight optimism and gains in Europe and on Wall Street.

On mainland China the Shanghai Composite is trading up by 0.4%, and the Shenzhen Composite is adding to gains from the previous session as it climbs 0.5% higher. Over in Hong Kong investors are taking their own course, ignoring the gains on the mainland and sending the Hang Seng lower by 0.4% and looking to snap a six day winning streak after opening to modest gains.

In Japan the Nikkei has a 0.4% gain thanks to overnight weakness in the Yen, which is now trading above the 109.00 level versus the U.S. dollar. Shares of Softbank are up 0.5%, recovering from losses in the previous session caused by the company’s first quarterly loss in 14 years. Shares of Sony are up 0.7%, and Toyota Motors is rallying 2% higher.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 is trading 0.2% lower, giving back some of the gains from the prior session. The big four banks are higher for a second day, with ANZ gaining 0.5%, NAB up 0.3%, while Commonwealth Bank and Westpac are 0.1% higher. Oil stocks are also higher, with Santos adding 1%, Woodside Petroleum gaining 1.6%, and Oil Search 0.8% higher. Miners are weak, especially the gold miners, with Evolution mining down 5.2% and Newcrest Mining losing 4.4%.

In South Korea the Kospi is 0.2% lower, while Taiwan’s Taiex has a 0.3% loss.

Southeast Asian markets are lower, with Singapore’s Straits Times index falling 0.6% and Malaysia’s KLCI losing 0.1%.

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November 7, 2019

Asian markets are mostly lower on Thursday morning after reports emerged overnight claiming it would be until December at the earliest before the U.S. and China would come to terms over phase one of the trade deal.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 is the lone rising market in the region with a gain of 0.6% heading into the afternoon in Sydney. The big four banks are leading the way higher, despite NAB cutting its dividend and reporting a 10.6% decrease in annual profits. Shares of NAB are up 2.2% to lead the index. Westpac trades 0.7% higher, and Commonwealth Bank is up 1%, while ANZ has a gain of less than 0.1%.

In Japan the Nikkei is trading 0.1% lower, partially due to overnight strength from the Yen.  The index has been trading back and forth over unchanged levels in choppy, directionless trade. Shares of Softbank are down 1.2% after reporting its first quarterly loss in fourteen years, and Fast Retailing has a loss of 0.5%.

On mainland China the Shanghai Composite is trading down by less than 0.1%, recovering from larger early losses, while the smaller cap Shenzhen Composite is enjoying a 0.4% gain. Over in Hong Kong the Hang Seng is trading 0.4% lower.

South Korea’s Kospi is also lower by 0.2%, and in Taiwan the Taiex is retreating 0.6% in early trade.

Southeast Asian markets are mixed and little changed, with Indonesia’s Jakarta Composite down 0.1%, and the Straits Times in Singapore less than 0.1% lower, while Malaysia’s KLCI has a slight gain of less than 0.1%.

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