The Federal Reserve signals a possible interest rate cut next month amid warning signs from trade data, including a sharp increase in tariffs, a declining trade surplus, and falling exports, all influenced by ongoing trade tensions and tariffs, with additional uncertainties from legal challenges and political factors.
Chinese stocks and bond prices rose after the country's leaders pledged to implement a "moderately loose" monetary policy to boost economic growth. The CSI 300 stock index increased by 1.4%, and 10-year bond yields hit a record low, as investors anticipated further interest rate cuts. The politburo, led by President Xi Jinping, promised "unconventional" measures to stabilize the stock market and property sector, alongside "more proactive" fiscal policies to enhance consumption. Despite weak import and inflation data, China's exports grew, though at a slower pace, amid concerns over potential US tariffs.
China's exports and imports for November fell short of expectations, with exports growing by 6.7% and imports declining by 3.9% year-on-year. This underperformance comes amid broader economic challenges, including weak domestic consumption and a housing market downturn. The Chinese government has pledged to enhance monetary and fiscal policies to stimulate growth. Despite current export strength, future growth may be impacted by U.S. tariffs. Meanwhile, manufacturing activity showed slight improvement, but consumer inflation remains low.
Japan stock indexes retreated from record highs, while China's dollar-denominated exports jumped 7.1% year on year, surpassing expectations. Shares of Chinese e-commerce company JD.com spiked over 8% after releasing better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and announcing a share buyback plan. Japan's yen strengthened against the U.S. dollar, reaching a one-month high, following reports of a 6.7% raise in full-time workers' pay. Goldman Sachs expressed positivity on Indian equities, bonds, and the rupee, while Australia saw a 2.6% decline in new owner-occupier home loans in January.
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed with Hong Kong's Hang Seng index jumping 1.86% while Japan's Nikkei 225 lost 0.26% as business sentiment among large manufacturers soured. Japan's exports rose 11.9% in January, beating estimates, but the country posted a trade deficit of 1.758 trillion yen. Australia's annual wages rose at the fastest pace in 15 years, and U.S. crude oil futures pulled back after hitting a three-month high due to the conflict in the Middle East. HSBC reported a 78% jump in pre-tax annual profit, missing market estimates, and its Hong Kong shares dipped more than 2%.
Asia-Pacific markets fell as investors analyzed trade data from China and Australia. China's November trade numbers exceeded expectations, with exports rising 0.5% and imports falling 0.6% year on year, leading to a widened trade surplus. Meanwhile, oil prices slightly rebounded after hitting their lowest level since June. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 narrowed losses, while Japan's Nikkei 225 and South Korea's Kospi both experienced declines. In the US, all three major indexes retreated as investors assessed falling inflation and awaited the jobs report. Additionally, K-pop group Blackpink's contract renewal lifted the burden on YG Entertainment's stock price, and Morgan Stanley identified alpha opportunities in China's tech sector.
South Korea's exports in September showed a slower decline than expected, marking the mildest drop in a year. Overseas sales fell 4.4% compared to an 8.3% loss in August, with exports to China decreasing by 17.6%, the slowest in 11 months. However, exports to the United States rose 8.5% and those to the European Union increased by 6.5%. Semiconductors saw a decline of 13.6%, the slowest in a year, while exports of cars, machinery, and ships experienced growth. South Korea's trade surplus for September was $3.70 billion, the widest since September 2021.
Asia-Pacific markets were mostly lower as investors assessed trade data from China and Australia. Chinese imports and exports fell less than expected, while Australia's July trade surplus was lower than anticipated. India's consumer market is predicted to become the world's third largest by 2027. Goldman Sachs is bullish on China's e-commerce sector and has named two stocks in its conviction list. Morgan Stanley has named a European bank as a "top pick" with a 35% upside. Boston Federal Reserve President Susan Collins stated that the central bank can proceed cautiously on future interest rate hikes. The US dollar and oil prices experienced slight fluctuations, while the services sector in the US expanded at a faster-than-expected pace in August.
Japan's exports experienced their first monthly decline in over two years, falling 0.3% in July compared to the previous year, due to weaker demand from China and other Asian countries. Exports to Asia plummeted nearly 37%, with exports to China contracting for the eighth consecutive month. Japan's domestic demand also showed no significant improvement, as imports slumped 13.5%. The country swung to a trade deficit of 78.7 billion yen, falling short of expectations. With concerns over faltering global demand and the weakening Japanese yen, the Bank of Japan is unlikely to deviate from its ultra-easy monetary policy.
China's alarming trade data, showing double-digit drops in exports and imports in July, has unsettled global stock markets and triggered flight-to-quality trades to US government debt and the dollar. The deepening slowdown in China's economy, coupled with troubles in its manufacturing and real estate sectors, has raised concerns about the strength of the global economy. Investors are now worried about a potential slowdown in the US and are reevaluating the prospects of global growth.
Stocks slid as concerns about banks and China weighed on the market. Weak Chinese trade data, including a slump in imports and exports, dampened optimism for a global economic recovery. Moody's downgrade of 10 small and midsize US banks, along with a warning about credit ratings for larger lenders, added to the worries. Bank stocks in Europe also tumbled after Italy announced a windfall tax on lenders' profits. Investors are awaiting the July inflation report and more earnings reports for further insights into the state of the economy. In premarket trading, UPS shares fell after cutting revenue and margin forecasts, while Eli Lilly's shares rose after beating profit estimates. Hims & Hers Health saw a surge in shares after upgrading revenue guidance, and AMC Entertainment reported better-than-expected revenue.
Alibaba's stock slumped along with the broader stock market as trade data revealed a bleak outlook for China's economy, highlighting a potential wider risk for investors.
Most Asian stocks dipped due to concerns over rising interest rates and slowing global economic growth, but optimism over more Chinese stimulus measures helped limit some losses. Chinese state-owned banks cutting rates on yuan deposits could signal a broader interest rate cut by the People’s Bank this month. Weak economic readings from China continued to pile in, with trade data showing an unexpected decline in exports in May. Focus is now on inflation data from China due on Friday for more cues on a running disinflationary trend in the country.
China's trade data for May showed a bigger-than-expected drop in exports, fueling speculation of policy stimulus measures from Beijing. The Reserve Bank of Australia's surprise rate hike and hawkish messaging on Tuesday continue to reverberate, raising speculation that the Bank of Canada might similarly defy poll forecasts by resuming rate hikes later on Wednesday. Bitcoin reversed much of Tuesday's sharp drop on a flight to quality in the crypto space following a widening U.S. crackdown on exchanges and smaller coins.
China's May trade data showed a sharp drop in exports, missing forecasts, while imports saw a smaller fall than expected. Australia's GDP grew 2.3% in Q1, the slowest rate of growth in 1½ years. Boeing's shares fell more than 2% after the aircraft maker warned of a new defect on its 787 Dreamliner model. The World Bank said global growth will decelerate in 2023 amid high inflation and banking stress. Topgolf Callaway Brands rose on Tuesday after the Saudi Public Investment Fund was prepared to invest billions into the combined golf league.