Asian Mid-session Update: PBoC continues to inject liquidity; Microsoft falls on weak outlook
***Economic Data***
- (CN) CHINA DEC CONFERENCE BOARD LEADING ECONOMIC INDEX M/M: 1.1% V 0.8% PRIOR
- (CN) CHINA DEC INDUSTRIAL PROFITS Y/Y: -8.0% V -4.2% PRIOR
- (AU) AUSTRALIA DEC NAB BUSINESS CONFIDENCE: 2 V 1 PRIOR; CONDITIONS: 4 V 5 PRIOR
- (JP) JAPAN DEC PPI SERVICES Y/Y: 3.6% V 3.5%E
- (KR) SOUTH KOREA JAN CONSUMER CONFIDENCE: 102 V 101 PRIOR; First rise in 4 months
- (KR) South Korea Dec final Department Store Sales y/y: -0.9% vs -6.5% prior; Discount store sales y/y: -3.8% v -4.7% prior
***Index Snapshot (as of 02:30 GMT)***
- Nikkei225 +1.3%, S&P/ASX +0.5%, Kospi +0.3%, Shanghai Composite -0.4%, Hang Seng -0.4%, Mar S&P500 flat at 2,053
***Commodities/Fixed Income***
- Feb gold -0.2% at $1,277, Mar crude oil flat at $45.25/brl, Mar copper -0.7% at $2.52/lb
- GLD: SPDR Gold Trust ETF daily holdings rise 1.7 tonnes to 743.4 tonnes
- (CN) PBoC to inject CNY30B in 7-day reverse repos and CNY30B in 28-day reverse repos (2nd consecutive injection, largest injection since Jan 27th, 2014)
***Market Focal Points/FX***
- China markets are marginally lower, even as PBoC decided to inject liquidity for the 2nd consecutive time, opting to follow last week's CNY50B 7-day reverse repo operation with a combined CNY60B in 7-day and 24-day tools. Recall last week, Chinese officials stated the operations are designed to address anticipated cash squeeze going into the Lunar New Year holiday. Further economic data from the mainland have also been underwhelming. Industrial profits declines accelerated to -8% from -4.2% prior and 2014 growth was just 3.3% - below 5.3% YTD increase in November. Speaking after the release, China vice fin min said industrial operation is within reasonable range, though economy is faced with downward pressure amid "new normal" conditions. December Conf Board leading index growth rose from the prior month, but resident economist said "current economic activity picked up in December on the back of strong consumption", adding "expectations and real estate remaining are subdued, suggesting weak economic growth in Q1 2015."
- USD/JPY is the largest mover among the dollar majors in an otherwise quiet FX session, falling about 50pips toward 118.10. The bulk of the plunge was attributed to comments from Econ Min Amari, who said neither overly weak nor strong Yen would be suitable. Amari also stated that recent fall in oil prices is having a significant impact on CPI and would likely push back timing of achieving 2% inflation.
- Australia NAB business confidence rose a point but conditions were down a point. NAB chief economist pointed to falling commodity prices undercutting mining confidence, though lower oil prices are boosting optimism among transport/utilities firms. AUD/USD hit session lows on the release near $0.79, but subsequently recovered toward $0.7940 in the afternoon trade.
- Microsoft was a notable decliner among tech giants reporting quarterly results, with sales slowing y/y in Licensing, Gaming, and Devices segments. MSFT made new lows afterhours following cautious conference call commentary, as management noted strong USD is impacting its outlook in addition to soft operating environment leading to y/y sales declines in China, Russia, and Japan markets.
***Equities***
US markets/ADRs:
- TXN: Reports Q4 $0.69 (adj) v $0.69e, R$3.27B v $3.27Be; +0.2% afterhours
- UTX: Reports Q4 $1.62 v $1.61e, R$17.0B v $17.1Be; -1.7% afterhours
- RMBS: Reports Q4 $0.14 v $0.06e, R$72M v $72.3Me; Approves 20M share buyback program (17% of shares outstanding); -2.9% afterhours
- MSFT: Reports Q2 $0.71 v $0.70e, R$26.5B v $26.1Be; Exec: Expects y/y Rev declines in China, Russia, Japan; Stronger USD to hurt forecast - conf call; -4.3% afterhours
Notable movers by sector:
- Consumer Discretionary: Alibaba Pictures Group 1060.HK +7.0% (FY14 guidance)
- Consumer staples: Biostime International 1112.HK +1.9% (positive update on gross margin)
- Materials: Lynas Corp LYC.AU -11.3% (Q2 results); Silver Lake Resources SLR.AU -18.3% (Q4 sales results); Marubeni Corp 8002.JP -1.3% (cuts FY15 guidance)
- Energy: Horizon Oil Ltd HZN.AU +4.0% (Q2 production results)
- Industrials: China State Construction 601668.CN +1.9% (awarded contract); Great Wall Motors 2333.HK +3.8% (FY14 results)
- Utilities: Huadian International 1071.HK +4.8% (FY14 guidance)