Asian Market Update: Japan posts record H1 deficit, Asian shares broadly higher; traders await US data
***Observations/Insights*** - Asian markets were broadly higher with Australia's S&P/ASX hitting fresh five-year highs earlier in the session, tracking record gains on Wall Street, and on the possibilities that the US will further raise the chances more monetary stimulus. - Australia stocks surged above the 5,330 level to hit their highest levels since 2008 due to the strong performances in miners. - The Nikkei continued to be supported by a weaker yen after Japan posted a record trade deficit streak of 15 months. Shipments from Japan's largest trade partner China rose by 30.9% to a record high of ¥1.68T. The USD/JPY was around the 98-handle retreating from the lows of Friday, and raised some of the major exporters. - The markets will be carefully monitoring the slew of US data expected this week following delays due to the partial US government shutdown, with non-farm payrolls report scheduled for Tuesday.
***Economic Data*** - (JP) JAPAN SEPT MERCHANDISE TRADE BALANCE: -¥932.1B V -¥918.6BE; ADJUSTED MERCHANDISE TRADE BALANCE: -¥1.1T V -¥1.1TE - (NZ) NEW ZEALAND SEPT CREDIT CARD SPENDING M/M: -0.1% V +1.4% PRIOR; Y/Y: 5.2% V 6.6% PRIOR - (NZ) NEW ZEALAND SEPT NET MIGRATION: 2.7K V 2.2K PRIOR - (UK) UK OCT RIGHTMOVE HOUSE PRICES M/M: 2.8% V -1.5% PRIOR; Y/Y: 3.8% V 4.5% PRIOR
***Fixed Income/Commodities/Currencies*** - (CN) PBoC sets yuan mid point at 6.1352 v 6.1372 prior setting (new yuan high setting since July 2005 revaluation) - (CN) PBoC gauges demand for 7-day, 14-day reverse repos, 28-day repos and 91-day bill sales - (JP) BOJ offers to buy ¥400B in 5-10yr JGB and ¥140B in floating rate notes - (KR) South Korea sells 10-yr govt bonds, avg yield 3.455% v 3.495% Sept 15th
***Speakers/Political/In the Papers*** - (JP) Bank of Japan (BOJ) gov Kuroda: BOJ to continue easing until inflation rate 2% is stable - BOJ branch managers meeting - (JP) Japan restarts of nuclear facilities may be postponed to FY14 - Japanese press - (JP) S&P sovereign analyst Ogawa: Near-term economic prospects of Japan look fine - (JP) Japan Coast Guard sighted three China vessels near the disputed Senkaku Islands - Kyodo News - (JP) Japan LDP Sec Gen Ishiba: Yen on path to return to suitable level
- (CN) China needs further promotion of market reform for real estate industry - Chinese press - (CN) China Premier Li Keqiang: to strengthen economic reform and structural adjustment in Q4 - press - (HK) Hong Kong starts to trade first cross-border and cross-market ETF which can invest in stocks dual listed in Mainland and Hong Kong - press
- (KR) South Korea exports +2.9% y/y, imports +1.7% y/y in the first three weeks of Oct - (KR) South Korea to loosen policy on foreign stock short- selling - press
- (US) Moody's: US Q4 GDP may lose a few tenths of point on govt shutdown - financial press - (UK) BOE's Broadbent: Further inflation shocks possible not expected; rate hike only after recovery is on secure footing - financial press - (DE) German Finance Ministry releases monthly report: Sept industry output could be moderate; economy to grow in H2
***Equities*** Market Snapshot (as of 03:30 GMT): - Nikkei225 +0.6%, S&P/ASX +0.6%, Kospi +0.5%, Shanghai Composite +1.1%, Hang Seng +0.6%, Dec S&P500 +0.1% at 1,738, Dec gold +0.3% at $1,317, Nov crude oil flat at $100.85/brl
US markets: - JPM: JP Morgan and DOJ reach tentative $13B civil settlement agreement to resolve multiple investigations, the largest fine ever against an individual company - press - CCI: To acquire rights to approx 9,700 AT&T towers for $4.85B in cash; to contribute $245-255M to 2014 FFO adj - AAPL: Increases iPhone 5S output by 75% while lowering 5C output by 35% - tech blogs - BAC: FHFA said to be seeking $6B in penalties - FT - OMX: Office Depot, OfficeMax merger expected to be approved by the trade commission - financial press
Notable movers by sector: - Consumer discretionary: Next Media 282.HK +6.8% (stops publication of free press) - Consumer staples: Yantai Changyu Pioneer Wine Co Ltd 000869.CN -0.4% (negative press comments) - Industrials: Zhuzhou CSR Times Electric Co Ltd 3898.HK -5.1% (issues shares; analyst action); CNR Co Ltd 601299.CN +4.4% (awarded contract); Suzuki Motor Corp 7269.JP +2.8%, Toyota Motor Corp 7203.JP +0.5%, Yamaha Motor 7272.JP +1.5% (Japan autos higher on weaker yen) - Materials: China Minmetals Rare Earth Co Ltd 000831.CN -1.7% (Q3 results); Yunnan Copper Co 000878.CN -3.7% (provides Q3 guidance); Jiangxi Copper Company Ltd 600362.CN +0.3%, Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group Co Ltd 000630.CN -0.7%, Shenzhen Zhongjin Lingnan Nonfemet Co Ltd 000060.CN +0.6% (Yunnan Copper provides weak guidance) - Energy: AusTex Oil Ltd AOK.AU +7.7% (issues shares to fast track project); WestSide Corp Ltd WCL.AU (quarterly results) - Financials: Wharf Holdings Ltd 4.HK +1.0% (FY13 guidance) - Utilities: TEPCO 9501.JP -1.5% (rain outflow at Fukushima) - Healthcare: Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd 2196.HK +13.5% (sells intellectual properties; receives positive comments)