Most Asian equities and currencies rallied Thursday, building on the previous day’s advance as investors were cheered by a number of positive developments on trade, Hong Kong and Europe.
Markets were already on an upward trajectory after the leader of Hong Kong on Wednesday withdrew a controversial extradition bill that had sparked months of sometimes violent protests in the financial hub, agency reports.
But the good news kept coming as the day wore on, with news that Italy had formed a new moderate, pro-European government, while British MPs moved closer to passing a law preventing a no-deal Brexit.
Then on Thursday morning, China announced it would resume trade talks with the United States in Washington next month.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu He spoke to US Trade Representative Robert
Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin by phone Thursday morning, the commerce ministry statement said, and agreed to “work together and take practical actions to create favourable conditions for consultations”.
The announcement provided a small sign of progress in the long-running row that has dragged on the global economy and stock markets.
Asian equities were broadly in positive territory, tracking a healthy lead from Wall Street, where the S&P 500 moved to within touching distance of a new record high.
Tokyo ended more than two percent higher and Shanghai jumped one percent, with Sydney 0.9 percent up. Seoul gained 0.8 percent, Singapore 0.3 percent, and Taipei and Wellington 0.9 percent apiece. Manila, Bangkok and Jakarta were also well in positive territory.
However, Hong Kong ended with marginal losses. Having soared almost four percent on Wednesday on the back of Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s shock decision to withdraw the bill, profit-takers moved in, while there was also some concern the offer will not be enough to avert more unrest.
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– Sterling extends gains –
Adding to the positive vibe were comments from China’s cabinet flagging a
cut in the amount of cash banks must keep in reserve, a move aimed at
releasing more cash into the stuttering economy.
“A full cut to banks’ reserve ratio is needed to make sure of effective
financial support to economic growth, as the global economy slows and
domestic consumption and investment face headwinds,” said Wen Bin, at China
Minsheng Banking Corp.
On currency markets, high-yielding, riskier assets were up across the
board against the dollar, led by the Australian dollar and South Korean won.
The Chinese yuan, which hit 11-year lows earlier in the week, was also
well up.
The sterling extended gains after Wednesday’s bounce, having slumped to
its weakest level since 1985 except for a 2016 “flash crash”.
The unit has enjoyed buying as lawmakers in Westminster push through
legislation to avert crashing out of the EU on October 31, delivering an
embarrassing blow to new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
On Wednesday, they also blocked his attempt to call a general election
until their bill had become law. Economists have warned that a no-deal Brexit
could hammer the British economy.
The euro was also supported by developments in Italy, where the new
coalition will be sworn in Thursday, drawing a line under a months-long
crisis sparked by the far right.
Oil prices dipped after Wednesday’s gains of more than four percent for
both contracts, which came in response to the positive stories, as well as
fresh US sanctions on Iran and Russia’s promise to stick to a deal with OPEC
to cut output.
While the mood on trading floors is mostly positive, Stephen Innes, Asia-
Pacific market strategist at AxiTrader, sounded a note of caution.
“While a drop in geopolitical risk premium comes as a welcome relief, with
the omnipresent trade war clouds looming ominously over the market… the air
remains thick with caution.”
In early European trade, London fell 0.2 percent, while Paris and
Frankfurt each added 0.6 percent.
– Key figures around 0810 GMT –
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 2.1 percent at 21,085.94 (close)
Hong Kong – Hang Seng: FLAT at 26,515.53 (close)
Shanghai – Composite: UP 1.0 percent at 2,985.86 (close)
London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.2 percent at 7,298.53
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2262 from $1.2241 at 2100 GMT
Euro/pound: UP at 90.18 pence from 90.13 pence
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1040 from $1.1033
Dollar/yen: UP at 106.52 yen from 106.41 yen
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 35 cents at $55.91 per barrel
Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 26 cents at $60.44 per barrel
New York – Dow: UP 0.9 percent at 26,355.47 (close)