Asian Market Update: Investors await China money supply and lending data
***Economic Data*** - (JP) JAPAN JULY MACHINE ORDERS M/M: 3.5% V 4.0%E; Y/Y: 1.1% V 0.5%E - (JP) JAPAN AUG PPI (CGPI) M/M: -0.2% V 0.0%E; Y/Y: 3.9% (5-month low) V 4.1%E - (AU) AUSTRALIA SEPT WESTPAC CONSUMER SENTIMENT INDEX: 94.0 V 98.5 PRIOR; M/M: -4.6% V 3.8% PRIOR (first decline in 4 months) - (PH) PHILIPPINES JULY EXPORTS: $5.5B V $5.4B PRIOR; Y/Y: 12.4% V 15.2%E
***Index Snapshot (as of 03:30 GMT)*** - Nikkei225 -0.4%, S&P/ASX -0.7%, Kospi closed, Shanghai Composite -0.5%, Hang Seng -1.5%, Sept S&P500 -0.1% at 1,987
***Commodities/Fixed Income/Currencies*** - Dec gold +0.6% at $1,255, Oct crude oil +0.2% at $92.94/brl, Dec copper flat at $3.11/lb - SLV: iShares Silver Trust ETF daily holdings rise to 10,408 tonnes from 10,363 tonnes prior (highest since Nov 2013) - (US) API PETROLEUM INVENTORIES: CRUDE: -1.9M (largest draw in 5 weeks) v -1Me, GASOLINE: +0.7M v 0e, DISTILLATE: +1.7M v +0.5Me - (JP) BOJ offers to buy ¥400B in 5-10yr JGB, ¥100B in 10-25yr JGB, ¥30B in over 25yr JGB, ¥150B in corporate bonds - (AU) Australia MoF (AOFM) sells A$600M in 5.75% bond due 2021; Avg yield: 3.2650%; Bid-to-cover: 4.39x - USD/CNY: (CN) PBoC sets yuan mid point at 6.1425 v 6.1520 prior setting (strongest level since Mar 19th)
***Market Focal Points/Key Themes*** - Sentiment in Asia turned more cautious as investors expressed concern over less accommodative FOMC in the medium term and slowing growth in China in the short term. Following yesterday's report from San Francisco Fed hinting at the disconnect between expectations and Fed intentions, today's feature on CNBC again discussed the FOMC potentially dropping the "considerable time" reference in the statement as early as next meeting. Out of China, Premier Li spoke overnight and estimated M2 money supply rising only about 12.8% in August, which would mark a 5-month low. Official August money supply and yuan lending data could be out as early as today.
- Expectations of a clearer shift in US monetary policy stance also continued to play out via stronger USD, especially against the Yen. USD/JPY hit fresh 6-year high near 106.50 in the US hours and after an early dip, retested those levels late in Asia. Japan Deputy Econ Min Nishimura greenlighted further weakness in JPY as a positive for domestic economy. BOJ Dep Gov Iwata cautioned that weaker yen will not necessarily lead to higher prices, but also said it would encourage firms to be more proactive in capex and boost exports. Iwata added the 2% inflation target can be achieved and estimated potential GDP rate in Japan is estimated around 0.5%.
- Australian dollar was also a big mover among the USD majors, weighed further by a disappointing Westpac sentiment figure printing its first sequential decline in 4 months. Resident Westpac economist pointed to fiscal-tightening measures as well as increased charges for services weighing on consumption, with the proportion of those concerned with budget/taxation at the 2nd highest level on record. AUD/USD hit fresh 5-month lows below $0.9160, breaching its 200-day MA.
***Equities*** US markets: - DRL: Announces Asset Sale resulting in proceeds of approximately $423M; +10.9% afterhours - LMNR: Reports Q3 $0.61 v $0.40e, R$36.5M v $25.7Me (2 ests); +5.5% afterhours - PDLI: Guides Q3 R$165M v $135Me; +4.3% afterhours - PANW: Reports Q4 $0.11 v $0.11e, R$178.2M v $161Me; +4.0% afterhours - SIRI: Increases 2014 subscriber guidance for net adds at 1.45M (1.25M prior guidance); +1.1% afterhours - KKD: Reports Q2 $0.13 v $0.16e, R$120.5M v $118Me; -5.5% afterhours - FDO: Dollar General said to be preparing hostile bid of $9.1B for Family Dollar - financial press
Notable movers by sector: - Materials: Fortescue Metals Group FMG.AU -1.9% (iron ore decline); Tangshan Jidong 000401.CN -1.4%, Jilin Yatai 600881.CN -3.4% (fined by NDRC over price monopoly) - Industrials: MacMahon Holdings MAH.AU +4.6% (announces funding facility); Great Wall Motor 2333.HK -2.7% (Aug sales results); Guangzhou Automobile Corp 2238.HK -1.7% (Aug sales results) - Technology: Rakuten 4755.JP +3.4% (Ebates acquisition confirmed)