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Stocks hemmed in by rate risks; yuan wobbles

Asian equities climbed on Tuesday however might not break this month's highs as combined messages from U.S. Federal Reserve policymakers left doubts hanging over the timing of interest rate cuts.

The threat of Japan stepping in to avoid further falls in the yen put a little pressure on the dollar, however it increased against the yuan on speculation that China might tolerate a weaker currency.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan increased 0.6%, with gains for South Korean chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung Electronic Devices leading the Kospi up 1.2%.

Japan's soaring Nikkei was stable, as was the yen at 151.31 per dollar.

Overnight, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said he had booked three rate cuts this year, while Fed Guv Lisa Cook advised caution and Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic re-iterated Friday remarks trimming his expectations to one cut.

The diversity of views throws a few wildcards into the policy outlook while markets wait on the next U.S. inflation signs due when many markets will be closed for Excellent Friday.

Remarks by FOMC individuals recommend to us that four citizens-- Bostic, Bowman, Mester, and Barkin-- see absolutely no, one or 2 cuts this year, said Standard Chartered strategist Steve Englander.

We still think (chairman Jerome) Powell has 8 votes for Easing, but he most likely does not want an 8-4 vote on the cut of the cycle. Rather, he might hope that excellent inflation outcomes will permit him to swing a couple of votes into the cutting camp in the coming months.

Rate of interest futures cost about 3 Fed rate cuts this year and about a three-in-four possibility of the very first cut in June.

U.S. two-year yields, which track short-term rates of interest expectations, rose in New york city trade overnight Fell 4.5 basis points in the Asia morning to 4.58%.

S&P 500 futures rose 0.1% and the money index closed 0.3% lower over night.

In foreign exchange, Monday's rhetoric from Japan's top currency diplomat, Masato Kanda, kept the yen constant as traders weigh the risk of Japan buying heavily. Kanda stated the yen's. current slide was weird and speculative.

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) lifted interest rates last week. the yen has fallen close to three-decade lows on the dollar.

Just like in 2016, when the BOJ cut rates to negative and. ( dollar/yen) went down, this month's BOJ decision to exit. unfavorable rates is a nothingburger and a red herring for. ( dollar/yen), said Spectra Markets President Brent Donnelly.

The set continues to follow some combination of U.S. yields and Nikkei, with yields the primary motorist.

China's yuan opened consistent after a stronger-than-expected. fixing of its trading band, but selling pressure soon drove it. to the weak side of its 200-day moving average at 7.2165 per. dollar.

Markets were agitated by a sharp drop in the yuan on. Friday, after months of tight trading, and some hypothesize China. is loosening its grip on the currency to enable it to fall.

Whether this reflects a shift in FX policy stays to be. seen but accommodative monetary conditions are required in the. face of growth headwinds, stated BofA Securities' strategist. Adarsh Sinha.

If (yuan) depreciation corresponds and sustains with a weaker. credit impulse, Asia FX is susceptible.

Later on Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's chief. economist is due to speak and U.S. manufacturing, services and. consumer confidence figures are due. U.S. core PCE information is due. on Friday.

Gold and oil costs were broadly consistent in commodities. trade, with area gold at $2,169 an ounce and Brent crude. futures up 24 cents a barrel to $86.99.

Bitcoin hovered just above $70,000 after rising. sharply on Monday.

(source: Reuters)