Skip to main content

GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian shares pressured by Wall St, geopolitical tensions

Fears of further declines on Wall Street kept Asian shares mostly on the defensive on Monday, with concerns over geopolitical tensions eclipsing U.S. data that argued against an earlier start to the Federal Reserve's rate-tightening cycle.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan managed to gain 0.4 percent, largely as Chinese shares continued to rally on signs that economy was regaining momentum after a spate of stimulus measures.

But Japan's Nikkei average hit a one-week low and investors were cautious in most developed markets after the U.S. S&P 500 lost 2.7 percent last week, its biggest weekly decline in more than two years to hit two-month lows.

European shares were expected to edge up slightly after their steep fall last week, with spreadbetters see France's CAC40 rising as much as 0.4 percent and Britain's FTSE up to 0.2 percent.

European shares led the losses last week, with German shares falling 4.5 percent, pummelled by concerns over tension between Russia and the West as well as losses at Banco Espirito Santo, the biggest bank in Portugal.

Lisbon on Sunday unveiled a 4.9 billion euros ($6.58 billion) rescue plan for the bank, testing the euro zone's resilience to another banking crisis just months after Lisbon exited an international bailout.

U.S. stock futures suggested a modestly firmer opening in New York later in the day, rising 0.4 percent.

Investors also have been worrying about the impact of sanctions against Russia. About 40 European blue-chips, including many German companies, derive more than 5 percent of their revenues from the Russian market.

"The impact of sanctions can be big when consumption is not so strong worldwide. U.S. consumption is perhaps okay, but Japan is weak and in Europe even Germany seems to be losing steam. I think the market is still under-estimating the impact of the sanctions on Russia," said a trader at a Japanese bank.

Argentine's debt default last week also added to the gloom, even though it has so far had limited spillover to any other emerging markets.

"The fact that U.S. financial shares fell sharply even though they have very limited exposure to Argentine and Portugal suggests just how markets are getting nervous about high valuations," said Yasuo Sakuma, portfolio manager at Bayview Asset Management.

_0">

END OF GOLDILOCKS?

Many world share markets had rallied for much of this year on hopes that the U.S. economic growth will pick up while at the same time the Fed will also maintain zero interest rates at least until the middle of next year to support the economy.

Friday's U.S. job data provided little reason for the Fed to hurry in raising rates.

Although the closely-watched monthly payroll gains topped the 200,000 mark for six months in a row, the unemployment rate rose to 6.2 percent and average hourly earnings rose only one cent, showing little inflationary pressure.

Still, some analysts say the data portends possible risk for U.S. shares as it shows U.S. growth is growing but hardly accelerating.

_6">

"One reason there's no sign of wage inflation is because job gains in the past year have been concentrated on low-paid jobs," said Tohru Yamamoto, chief fixed income strategist at Daiwa Securities.

_7">

"So overall, yes, the data was solid. But it shows no sign of acceleration, which will spell troubles for stocks as their valuation is based on the assumption that growth will pick up," he added.

_8">

U.S. Treasury debt prices rose as traders trimmed bets the Fed would push rates up in the first half of next year.

_9">

The rate-sensitive two-year notes yield fell more than five basis points to around 0.480 percent. The 10-year yield also dropped to 2.507 percent, off three-week high of 2.614 percent, hit on Thursday.

_10">

As U.S. debt yields fell back, the dollar took a breather, with its index against a basket of major currencies off a 10-1/2-month high hit on Thursday.

_11">

The dollar index stood at 81.343, down from Thursday's high of 81.573.

_12">

"The July jobs data won't change the Fed's benign stance as it was about as 'goldilocks' as it could be," said Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy at AMP Capital in Sydney.

_13">

The euro fetched $1.3422, little changed in early trade but off last week's 8-month low of $1.3366. The dollar stood at 102.64 yen, down from 103.15 yen, a four-month peak hit on Wednesday.

_14">

Oil prices were under pressure as oversupply in the Atlantic basin and low demand outweighed worries over political tensions in the Middle East, North Africa and Ukraine.

_15">

U.S. crude futures traded at $97.93 per barrel, after having hit a six-month low of $97.09 on Friday.

The market has so far shown muted response to the news that Islamic State fighters seized control of Iraq's biggest dam, an oilfield and three more towns on Sunday after inflicting their first major defeat on Kurdish forces since sweeping across much of northern Iraq in June. (Additional reporting by Tomo Uetake in Tokyo and Ian Chua in Sydney; Editing by Shri Navaratnam & Kim Coghill)

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o