Asian Mid-session Update: China markets process bottoming signs in May data
***Economic Data***
- (NZ) NEW ZEALAND MAY MANUFACTURING PMI: 51.5 V 51.7 PRIOR (4-month low)
- (NZ) NEW ZEALAND MAY FOOD PRICES M/M: +0.4% V -0.3% PRIOR; 4-month high
- (AU) AUSTRALIA APR CREDIT CARD BALANCES: A$51.1B v A$51.2B PRIOR; CREDIT CARD PURCHASES: A$22.9B v A$25.6BPRIOR
- (KR) SOUTH KOREA MAY IMPORT PRICE INDEX M/M: +1.3% V -2.4% PRIOR; Y/Y: -14.6% V -17.1% PRIOR
- (CL) CHILE CENTRAL BANK (BCCH) LEAVES OVERNIGHT RATE TARGET UNCHANGED AT 3.00%, AS EXPECTED
- (PE) PERU CENTRAL BANK LEAVES REFERENCE RATE UNCHANGED AT 3.25%, AS EXPECTED
***Index Snapshot (as of 03:30 GMT)***
- Nikkei225 +0.1%, S&P/ASX -0.2%, Kospi -0.2%, Shanghai Composite +0.4%, Hang Seng +0.6%, Jun S&P500 -0.2% at 2,105
***Commodities/Fixed Income***
- Aug gold flat at $1,182/oz, Jul crude oil -0.2% at $60.47/brl, Jul copper flat at $2.67/lb
- (JP) BOJ offers to buy ¥375B in 1-3yr JGBs, ¥400B in 3-5yr JGBs, ¥240B in 10-25yr JGBs, ¥140B in 25yr+ JGBs, and ¥1T in T-bills
- (AU) Australia MoF (AOFM) sells A$700M in 3.25% 2018 Bonds; avg yield: 2.1152%; bid-to-cover: 3.57x
- (US) Weekly Fed Balance Sheet Total Assets for week ending June 10th: $4.47T v $4.47T prior; M1 y/y change: 8.0% v 8.2% prior; M2 y/y change: 6.0% v 6.0% prior
***Market Focal Points/FX***
- Asia markets are mixed in a quiet trading session heading into the weekend. Shanghai Comp and Hang Seng are leading the regional indices higher, as investors continued to process the latest set of economic data released overnight. M2 money supply rose for the first time in 3 months, coming in at 10.8% - above 10.5% consensus - while lending was in line around CNY900B and up from the prior month. Economist with HSBC said loans growth is meeting expectations, and policy impact is taking hold. A feature in China Daily urged some caution however, noting it was too early to suggest stabilization was taking place. In the property space, local press reported many banks in Shenzhen have raised mortgage rates for first homes - renewed signs of inflation in the housing market.
- Among USD majors, USD/JPY pared some of its initial gains, retreating below ¥123.60 on comments from BOJ's Harada who said the central bank could hold off on expanding stimulus even if inflation does not hit 2% target as long as price trends are improving. Typically more conservative Fin Min Aso also spoke out of character, noting economic environment needs to be prepared before the next sales tax increase in April 2017. Aso declined to comment on FX levels unlike BOJ Gov Kuroda overnight, who made a ripple in FX markets earlier this week by suggesting the yen may not weaken further.
After surprise policy easing by the RBNZ overnight, BNZ lowered its Q1 GDP target to 0.6% from 0.8% following a dip in Business PMI to a 4-month low. NZD/USD is down about 25pips from session highs but remains supported by the key $0.70 handle.
***Equities***
US equities / ADRs:
- TMUS: DISH bid for T-Mobile said to include $10-15B in cash - financial press; +5.6% afterhours
- TWTR: CEO COSTOLO TO STEP DOWN effective July 1st; Names co-founder Jack Dorsey as interim CEO; Reaffirms Q2 R$470-485M v $488Me; +3.9% afterhours
- BOBE: Intends to pursue a Strategic Transaction for Restaurant Properties; +3.3% afterhours
- RH: Reports Q1 $0.23 v $0.20e, R$422.4M v $419Me; +1.1% afterhours
- AVEO: Announces FDA Update for Tivozanib in Colorectal Cancer; Data INSUFFICIENT to determine appropriateness for proposed phase 3 study; -14.3% afterhours
Notable movers by sector:
- Consumer discretionary: Skymark Airlines 9204.JP % (new restructuring plan); Midea Group Co 000333.CN % (approval for share placement); Shanghai Lujiazui Finance & Trade Zone Development 600663.CN % (SOE reform)
- Financials: Shopping Centres Australasia Property SCP.AU % (raises guidance); Shanghai Jinqiao Export Processing Zone Development 600639.CN %, Shanghai Zhangjiang High-Tech Park Development 600895.CN % (SOE reform); Ping An Insurance 2318.HK % (YTD premium income); China Life Insurance 2628.HK % (YTD premium income)
- Industrials: Hyundai Motor 005380.KRW % (lowers domestic production); Suzuki Motor Corp 7269.JP % (lowers domestic output)
- Technology: Hon Hai Precision Industries 2317.TW % (May sales, investment in 5G); Synnex Technology International Corp 2347.TW % (May sales); Toshiba Corporation 6502.JP % (expects to update reports)
- Materials: Rio Tinto Ltd RIO.AU % (prices notes, not to progress study); Mitsubishi Corp 8058.JP % (to double issuance of hybrid bonds)
- Energy: Xinyi Solar 968.HK % (profit alert)
- Utilities: Sichuan Chuantou Energy Co 600674.CN % (controlling shareholder to boosts SOE reform); Guangdong Baolihua New Energy Stock Co 000690.CN % (set up private bank)