Jan 01 ,2025
Synopsis:
Asia equities poised for a cautious open Thursday in an extension of soft year-end price action. Golden Dragon China index rose moderately following Hong Kong gains. Japan remains closed until 6-Jan. US benchmarks capped off the year with a fourth straight session of declines, the longest year-end down streak for S&P 500 since 1966. Big tech was broadly lower, adding to Monday's underperformance. SOX index fell 0.93%. Treasuries were mixed with the curve steepening. Dollar index was up 0.3%. Gold finished up 0.9%. Bitcoin futures were down 0.7%. WTI crude settled up 1.0%.
Lackluster US year-end performance was discounted amid absence of specific catalysts and light volumes over the New Year holidays. Tone remained upbeat on the back of strong aggregate gains for 2024. General caution largely blamed on uncertainties surrounding Trump policies though positive fundamentals providing the basis for 2025 optimism. Similar narrative for China and Japan though global environment increasingly beholden to US developments. China President Xi in New Year's speeches reaffirmed 2024 GDP growth will finish at around 5% while repeating guidance for more proactive policies in 2025.
On regional macro, South Korea exports were stronger than expected in December, capping a rebound in 2024 to mark the highest annual growth in three years. Some encouragement from pickup in shipments to US and China. But focus remains on Trump policy implications and domestic shocks (politics, plane crash reverberations). Singapore Q4 GDP expected to show slower growth, though Prime Minister Wong declared 2024 growth was 4%. China Caixin manufacturing PMI forecast to remain in moderate expansion in contrast to the virtual stall in the official series.
Pre-open Company News:
590003.IN -- Karur Vysya Bank reports advances as at 31-Dec INR828.42B vs year-ago INR726.92B
Y92.SP -- Thai Beverage Public upgraded to buy from neutral at Goldman Sachs
600885.CH -- Hongfa Technology initiated buy at Huaan Securities
600919.CH -- Bank of Jiangsu declares interim DPS CNY0.3062
010130.KS -- Korea Zinc issues response to MBK and Young Poong's injunction tactics
2268.HK -- WuXi XDC Cayman initiated buy at Zhongtai Securities
512455.IN -- Lloyds Metals & Energy reports 9M iron ore production 8.6M tonnes vs year-ago 8.2M tonnes
6.HK -- Power Assets Holdings initiated buy at Huatai Securities
540005.IN -- LTIMindtree upgraded to buy at DAM Capital
532500.IN -- Maruti Suzuki India reports December total production (units) 157,654 vs year-ago 121,028
002594.CH -- BYD Co. reports December vehicle production volume 466,441 units vs year-ago 308,972 units
600378.CH -- Haohua Chemical Science & Technology launches CNY4.50B capital raise at CNY24.80/share
507685.IN -- Wipro downgraded to hold from outperform at CLSA
533278.IN -- Coal India upgraded to buy from add at Axis Capital
BSE.IN -- BSE Ltd initiated hold at East India Securities
On Deck:
Indonesia:
Economic:
11:00 SAST: CPI NSA Y/Y; consensus
Market Data:
Gold (Feb 25): ($2.70) or (0.10%) to $2638.30
WTI Crude (Feb 25): +$0.23 or +0.32% to $71.95
$-¥: +0.22 or +0.14% to 157.4330
$-KRW: (1.00) or (0.07%) to 1477.2500
A$-$: +0.00 or +0.05% to 0.6191
$-INR: (0.00) or (0.00%) to 85.5767
$-CNY: +0.00 or +0.02% to 7.2992
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