Aug 31 ,2023
Synopsis:
Asian markets set for a mixed start to Friday trade. Nikkei and ASX futures lower while Hang Seng futures marginally higher. S&P 500 futures flat after US equities were little changed overnight. Australian and New Zealand yields tracking earlier strength in Treasuries. FX markets steady after dollar index extended rebound from two-week low. Crude hovering near three-week high. Bitcoin erased previous day's rally.
As foreshadowed in press, China authorities lowered downpayment requirement and urged banks to reduce lending rates. Goldman Sachs saw measures providing modest growth impulse to property market if widely adopted. Citi flagged potential boost to home sales though Evercore skeptical, noting many existing mortgages already on floor rate. Developers also facing uncertainty with Country Garden delaying onshore bond repayment deadline as it seeks longer grace period for payments. Group's credit rating cut three notches to Ca by Moody's.
Markets looking ahead to US nonfarm payrolls later tonight. Forecast to show smallest jobs growth in 32 months though unemployment rate and annualized earnings growth expected to remain unchanged. Previews have noted risk of downside surprise following ADP payrolls and JOLTS miss this week. Even then, an in-line to softer print seen strengthening soft landing narrative and further eroding odds of another Fed rate hike.
FT reported China President Xi Jinping set to skip next week's G20 in India amid elevated tensions between two nations. Xi's absence would also be a blow to hopes for meeting with Biden at the summit. Comes as US and China continue efforts to restore communications following Commerce Secretary Raimondo's visit to Beijing. US-China defense officials also held rare direct engagement this month after Beijing halted ties last year in response to former House Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.
Pre-open Company News:
180640.KS -- HANJIN KAL releases 2023 sustainability report
6988.HK -- Joy Spreader Interactive Technology reports H1 net income attributable (HK$194.8M) vs year-ago HK$75.5M
003550.KS -- LG Corp releases ESG report
3613.HK -- Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine chairman Ding Yong Ling retires, effective 31-Aug
9996.HK -- Peijia Medical reports H1 net income attributable (CNY212.1M) vs year-ago (CNY92.0M)
1558.HK -- YiChang HEC ChangJiang Pharmaceutical reports H1 net income attributable CNY1.03B vs year-ago (CNY32.8M)
59.HK -- Skyfame Realty (Holdings) reports H1 net income attributable (CNY991.9M) vs year-ago (CNY1.62B)
3377.HK -- Bondholders of Sino-Ocean Group unit approve extension of $2B onshore bonds due 2-Aug
FRSX -- Foresight Autonomous subsidiary Eye-Net Mobile signs agreement for a paid proof of concept (POC) project with SoftBank Corp. (9434.JP)
China confirms reduction of existing first-home mortgage rates; set national minimum down-payment ratios; reduces minimum rate on second homes
000596.CH -- Anhui Gujing Distillery upgraded to buy from overweight at Western Securities (timing uncertain)
3396.HK -- Legend Holdings reports H1 net income attributable CNY668.0M vs guidance not higher than CNY800M and year-ago CNY2.13B
990.HK -- Theme International Holdings reports H1 net income attributable HK$830.0M, +24% vs year-ago HK$667.0M
^ASIAREADS -- StreetAccount Asia Reads
6888.MK -- Axiata Group downgraded to hold from buy at HSBC
On Deck:
China:
Economic:
09:45 CST: Markit/Caixin PMI Manufacturing SA; consensus 49.3
Hong Kong:
Earnings:
SmarTone Telecommunications Holdings (315.HK)
Japan:
Economic:
09:30 JST: Markit/JMMA PMI Manufacturing SA (Final); consensus
Earnings:
ITO EN (2593.JP)
South Korea:
Economic:
11:00 KST: Trade Balance NSA; consensus
11:00 KST: Import NSA Y/Y; consensus
11:00 KST: Export NSA Y/Y; consensus (19.6%)
Australia:
Economic:
11:30 AEST: Retail Sales SA M/M (Final); consensus +0.4%
11:30 AEST: Housing Finance SA M/M; consensus
Indonesia:
Economic:
11:00 SAST: CPI NSA Y/Y; consensus
Market Data:
Gold (Dec 23): +$0.40 or +0.02% to $1966.30
WTI Crude (Oct 23): ($0.08) or (0.10%) to $83.55
$-¥: (0.74) or (0.50%) to 145.5070
$-KRW: +6.42 or +0.48% to 1330.2100
A$-$: +0.00 or +0.09% to 0.6483
$-INR: (0.08) or (0.09%) to 82.6822
$-CNY: (0.03) or (0.38%) to 7.2569
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