Asian Market Update: Singapore economy unexpectedly contracts; Markets quiet ahead of BOJ and China data
***Economic Data***
- (SG) SINGAPORE Q2 PRELIM GDP Q/Q: -0.8% V +2.4%E; Y/Y: 2.1% V 3.1%E
- (NZ) NEW ZEALAND JUN PERFORMANCE SERVICES INDEX: 54.7 V 54.1 PRIOR
- (NZ) NEW ZEALAND REINZ JUN HOUSE PRICE INDEX: 3,913 V 3,925 PRIOR; M/M: -0.3% V -1.2% PRIOR; HOUSE SALES Y/Y: -6.1% V -14.8% PRIOR
- (SL) SRI LANKA LEAVES REVERSE REPO RATE UNCHANGED AT 8.00% (NOT EXPECTED); LEAVES REPURCHASE RATE UNCHANGED AT 6.50% (EXPECTED)
***Index Snapshot (as of 02:30 GMT)***
- Nikkei225 +0.4%, S&P/ASX +0.5%, Kospi +0.5%, Shanghai Composite +0.1%, Hang Seng +0.7%, Sept S&P500 +0.1% at 1,965
***Commodities/Fixed Income/Currencies***
- Aug gold flat at $1,338, Aug crude oil flat at $100.84/brl, Sept Copper flat at $3.27/lb
- (IQ) ISIS militants said to have renewed offensive toward Baghdad on Sunday - press
- (KR) South Korea sells KRW1.65T in 5-yr govt bond at 2.775% v 3.065% prior, bid to cover: 4.16x v 4.20x prior
***Market Focal Points/Key Themes***
- Asian indices are tracking modest gains in the US session on Friday, as traders lament the absence of any meaningful data, setting their sights on BOJ decision tomorrow and China Q2 GDP / June economic data the day after.
- Rising tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East have put a slight bid into the energy markets after Friday's steep selloff. Israel continued its bombardment of Gaza, and IDF troops also conducted a nighttime raid and exchanged gunfire with Hamas militants. Later on Sunday, Israel also responded to shelling from Lebanon. In Iraq, ISIS militants took control of a town just 50miles north of Baghdad. In Ukraine, Pres Poroshenko called on EU Pres Van Rompuy to look into border crossing by military vehicles from Russia. Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry threatened "irreversible consequences" after reports of 3 fatalities in a Russian border town from an explosion of a shell fired from Ukraine.
- Singapore Q2 prelim GDP registered a surprising q/q contraction. Manufacturing component was particularly weak, rising just 0.2% vs 9.8%, while growth in services slowed to 2.8% from 4.4%.
- BHP is a touch firmer following an AFR report citing the latest Port Hedland data suggesting the mining giant will easily beat its 2014 iron ore exports target.
- In the euro zone, Portugal Central Bank looked to further reduce the contagion of the missed payment by Espirito Santo last week, ordering accelerated management overhaul. Subsequent reports suggesting a new CEO could take the reins at the BES as early as Monday. Separately, Bundesbank head Weidmann called for continued vigilance and adherence to sovereign debt rules. Weidmann also reiterated his opposition to ECB purchasing securitized loans, stated it would be inappropriate for ECB to turn into the bad bank of Europe.
- Japan PM Abe is looking more vulnerable politically following a surprise victory by the DPJ candidate for the vacant post of governor of Shiga prefecture. Reports are citing the controversial pursuit of constitutional amendments of restrictions on Japan military.
***Equities***
US markets:
- KOG: Whiting Petroleum Corporation to Acquire Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp. in all-stock transaction valued at $6.0B
- GE: American Airlines selects CFM's (GE, Safran JV) LEAP-1A engine; deal valued at $2.6B
- URS: AECOM to acquire URS Corporation for $56.31/shr in cash and stock in a deal valued about $6B
- MYL: Reportedly in advanced stage talks to acquire European drug assets from Abbott; deal said to be valued at several billion dollars - press
Notable movers by sector:
- Consumer staples: JiuGui Liquor 000799.CN -1.3% (H1 guidance)
- Financials: China Merchants Land 978.HK -1.9% (H1 guidance)
- Materials: Kentor Gold KGL.AU +4.0% (provides mining update); BHP +0.8% (speculation over higher iron ore exports)
- Energy: Karoon Gas Australia KAR.AU +2.8% (plans shares buyback); Buru Energy Limited BRU.AU -7.5% (issues operation update); Sun Resources N.L. SUR.AU -5.3% (provides drilling update)
- Industrials: Hyundai Hysco 010520.KR -2.3% (US sets duties on South Korea steelmakers); CPI Yuanda Environmental-Protection Group 600292.CN +2.2% (H1 guidance)
- Technology: Tencent Holdings +1.6% (Alibaba amends F-1)
- Telecom: Softbank 9984.JP +1.6% (Alibaba amends F-1)