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StreetAccount Summary - Asian Market Recap: Nikkei +0.92%, Hang Seng +1.63%, Shanghai Composite +0.43% as of 04:10 ET

Jun 09 ,2025

  • Synopsis:

    • Asia stocks ended higher across the board Monday. More strong gains in South Korea as it continues to outperform. Hong Kong back at three-month high, mainland China benchmarks all higher along with Japan. Taiwan, India and Southeast Asia all supported. Australia closed. US futures lower, Europe opened down. US dollar weaker to unwind some of Friday's strength, Asia currencies mostly stronger. Treasury yields mixed, JGB yields mostly higher. precious metals mixed, crude lower, base metals down.

    • Asia stocks boosted on news of the resumption of trade talks between the US and China that are set to resume in London today, as well as follow through from a positive session on Wall Street Friday. Better-than-expected US non-farm payrolls provided the background for the pop higher in US stocks which pushed fears of a recession further out. Nevertheless, China data Monday showed global trade on a knife edge as China-to-US exports plummeted in May, and factory prices contracted again. CPI was also negative but at least beat expectations.

    • In other developments, Bloomberg sources noted signs of progress in US-India negotiations after US negotiators extended their stay in the country. Japan's top negotiator Akazawa touted some progress in talks but conceded several key issues remain. South Korea's President Lee spoke with Trump on Friday without any substantive breakthrough. Japan's economy shrunk at a smaller pace than initially estimated in Q1 thanks to stronger consumption; BOJ Deputy Governor Uchida stressed importance of not allowing fiscal considerations to compromise monetary policy.

    • Sumitomo Realty & Development (8830.JP) received a letter from activist investor Elliot Investment Management in relation to shareholder returns ahead of its AGM. China Rare Earth Resources & Technology (000831.CH) traded higher Monday on reports from Beijing suggested it would relax controls of rare earth exports to EU semiconductor firms. Kakaopay (377300.KS) said to be a beneficiary if the stablecoin ecosystem is introduced in South Korea.

  • Digest:

    • US and China resume trade talks on Monday, export licenses a topic of discussion:

      • USTR Greer, Commerce Secretary Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Bessent will lead trade talks with China in London on Monday with export licenses a key topic of discussion (link, Bloomberg). Tensions had risen in recent weeks after both sides accused the other of reneging on Geneva deal, before last week's Trump-Xi call paved way for resumption of talks. China's slow walking on its Geneva promise of easing rare earths export curbs a big focus lately after automakers sounded alarm at prospect of magnet shortages disrupting production. On Friday Trump said Xi agreed to loosen rare earths restrictions and subsequent reports noted Beijing granted some approvals to EU and US, including top three US autos (Bloomberg, FT, Reuters). NEC Director Hassett confirmed US seeking agreement on rare earths from London talks (CBS News). For its part China has taken issue with US principally over tech export controls and Huawei crackdown, which were attributed in part for Beijing maintaining its rare earths export curbs. Unclear whether Monday's talks will lead to resolution of divisions between US and China, leaving fate of tariffs unknown after White House official told Bloomberg Trump plans to restore duties back to April levels or number above global 10% baseline rate if no deal reached by August deadline.

    • China May export growth slightly miss estimates with sharp falls in shipments to US:

      • Dollar-denominated exports rose 4.8% y/y in May, below Reuters consensus 5.0% and following 8.1% growth in April. Imports fell sharply at 3.4%, much worse than estimates 0.9% fall and 0.2% dip in April, leading to a trade surplus of $103.2B, versus consensus 101.3B and $96.2B in April. Data came amid temporary tariff truce with US that prompted exporters to frontload shipments and utilize 90-day window. Still customs data showed shipments to US fell 34.5% y/y, most since Feb-2020, according to Bloomberg; while imports from US was down 18.1%. Meanwhile China's exports to ASEAN and EU rose 14.8% and 12.0% respectively. Export growth in equipment manufacturing industry was highlighted, accounting for more than half of total export value in first five months of 2025 with sharp rises in EV, engineering machinery, ships and industrial robots. SCMP noted US-China's Geneva agreement provided some breathing room but trade outlook remains highly uncertain. Attention turns to latest trade talks between Vice Premier He Lifeng and US team led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in London, in a bid to further ease tensions over rare-earth minerals and advanced technology (Bloomberg).

    • China CPI extends drop in May, PPI the weakest in 22 months:

      • Headline CPI fell 0.1% y/y in May, slightly better than estimates of 0.2% decline and was the same in April. Core inflation edged up to 0.6% from April's 0.5%. Food prices were down 0.4% as fresh vegetables fell 8.3% despite rises in fresh fruit and pork while non-food prices were unchanged. Rural prices dropped 0.4% versus steady urban prices. Overall goods prices dropped 0.5% while services rose 0.5%. NBS statistician pointed to sharp falls in energy prices, down 6.1%, compared with 4.8% fall in April, as main factor in fall in CPI. Meanwhile transportation rental fees, airfares and tourism prices have all risen in May due to holiday and travel promotions. PPI downtrend continued into 32nd month, down 3.3% vs consensus 3.2% drop and 2.7% decline in April. It was weakest since Jul-2023. Negative momentum continued for both upstream and downstream prices. NBS attributed decline in producer prices to high base last year and drop in global prices for oil products and chemicals. In addition, prices of coal and other raw materials at home also declined due to ample inventory amid season lull. Bloomberg noted economic headwinds caused by US tariffs may further dent Chinese consumers' willingness to spend, likely prompting manufacturers and service providers to further slash prices.

    • US-Asia trade talks making mixed progress before July tariff deadline:

      • Pace of progress in US-Asia talks getting more scrutiny with one month left before reciprocal tariff pause is set to expire (Nikkei, Bloomberg). India talks appear to have made most progress with Bloomberg sources noted US negotiators in India have extended their stay in sign negotiations are advancing. Commerce Secretary Lutnick also recently expressed optimism for a deal (Bloomberg). Japan wrapped up fifth round of talks with top negotiator Ryosei Akazawa touting progress while stressing need to protect national interests and for US to remove tariffs (Reuters). On Sunday Akazawa said plenty of issues need resolving ahead of expected Trump-Ishiba meeting on G7 sidelines and downplayed prospect of the two coming to an agreement (Nikkei). Cooperation on shipbuilding, rare earths and LNG proposals and Japan's reported offer of reduced US auto tariffs based on each country's contributions to American car industry have all been discussed in press lately. Elsewhere, South Korea's new president Lee spoke with Trump on Friday with readout noting both sides agree to reach deal as soon as possible (Reuters). China transshipment practices a sticking point ahead of US-Vietnam talks around mid-June, with American firms urging administration to avoid reimposing punitive reciprocal tariffs (FT).

    • South Korea's Kospi continues outperformance after President Lee's election win:

      • South Korea's Kospi again outperformed Monday, continuing trend from last week post Lee Jae-myung's election as President. Lee ran partly on pledges to revise commercial code aimed at country's chaebols that would broaden board fiduciary duty to shareholders, change nomination process for audit committees, protect minority shareholders (Bloomberg). Analysts further expect country's 'value-up' program to be re-energized, activist investors also to up activity (Bloomberg). Kospi up 7.0% in USD terms from Monday's close prior to election versus MSCI Asia Pac ex Japan index up around 2.5%. Country's bonds seeing longest buying streak by overseas investors since Apr-23, including $652M last Thursday alone, according to financial regulator cited by Bloomberg. Analysts said concerns over President Lee's spending plans offset by prospect of further interest rate cuts, addition of sovereigns into FTSE Russell World Government Bond index. South Korea won also outperforming peers, strengthening around 1.8% in past week against only slightly weaker US dollar.

    • Notable Gainers:

      • +29.9% 377300.KS (kakaopay): reportedly trading higher on potential introduction of Korean won-based stablecoins

      • +5.3% 4578.JP (Otsuka Holdings): presents positive interim results of Phase 3 VISIONARY study of sibeprenlimab for treatment of IgAN in adults

      • +5.0% 000831.CH (China Rare Earth Resources & Technology): China's MOFCOM says it is willing to accelerate approval of rare earth exports to EU

      • +4.2% 2057.HK (ZTO Express): Hang Seng Index inclusion effective today

      • +1.4% 267250.KS (HD HYUNDAI Co.): Doosan Enerbility reportedly considering selling Doosan Vina to HD Hyundai for around KRW400B

      • +0.6% 8830.JP (Sumitomo Realty & Development): holder Elliott Investment Management issues letter to shareholders ahead of AGM

    • Notable Decliners:

      • -9.5% 066970.KS (L&F Co.): downgraded to sell from neutral at Goldman Sachs

      • -0.7% 3086.JP (J. FRONT RETAILING): Japan reportedly considering ending duty-free for foreign visitors, raising departure levies

  • Data:

    • Economic:

      • China May

        • CPI (0.1%) y/y vs consensus (0.2%) and (0.1%) in prior month

          • PPI (3.3%) y/y vs consensus (3.2%) and (2.7%) in prior month

        • Trade balance $103.2B vs consensus $101.3B and $96.2B in prior month

          • Exports +4.8% y/y vs consensus +5.0% and +8.1% in prior month

          • Imports (3.4%) y/y vs consensus (0.9%) and (0.2%) in prior month

      • Japan

        • Q1 GDP (0.2%) q/q annualized vs consensus (0.7%) and preliminary (0.7%)

          • GDP 0.0% q/q vs consensus (0.2%) and preliminary (0.2%)

        • April current account balance ¥2,258.0B vs consensus ¥2,596.4B and ¥3,678.1B in prior month

        • May bank lending +2.4% y/y vs +2.4% in prior month

    • Markets:

      • Nikkei: 346.96 or +0.92% to 38088.57

      • Hang Seng: 388.89 or +1.63% to 24181.43

      • Shanghai Composite: 14.41 or +0.43% to 3399.77

      • Shenzhen Composite: 18.61 or +0.93% to 2026.30

      • ASX200: Closed

      • KOSPI: 43.72 or +1.55% to 2855.77

      • SENSEX: 269.05 or +0.33% to 82458.04

    • Currencies:

      • $-¥: (0.75) or (0.52%) to 144.0950

      • $-KRW: (6.90) or (0.51%) to 1353.2800

      • A$-$: +0.00 or +0.49% to 0.6524

      • $-INR: (0.17) or (0.20%) to 85.6021

      • $-CNY: (0.01) or (0.09%) to 7.1831

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