MONEY MASTER

  Key Takeaways Shutdown resolution lifts sentiment : U.S. House passes bill ending the record shutdown; Trump expected to sign it. Stocks near record highs : Global indices steady after a four-day rally in the S&P 500. Fed uncertainty persists : Lack of economic data clouds rate-cut outlook ahead of the December FOMC meeting. Oil under pressure : Brent near US$62 after OPEC says supply has outpaced demand. Currency watch : Yen trades near 155; Japan issues new warning against sharp moves. Australia jobs surprise : Strong data curbs expectations for near-term RBA rate cuts. Global equities steadied near record highs as optimism over the  end of the U.S. government shutdown  lifted sentiment, though investors remained cautious amid limited economic data that has clouded the  Federal Reserve’s policy outlook . The  MSCI All Country World Index  and  Asian shares  fluctuated between small gains and losses, while  S&P 500 futures  ed...

Despite Wall Street's bullish momentum, Asian equity markets slipped on Friday as  renewed U.S. tariff threats  triggered caution among investors ahead of the  critical July 9 negotiation deadline . The regional MSCI Asia-Pacific Index declined 0.3%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index underperformed, sliding 1.4%. Tariff Risk Returns to the Forefront President Trump signaled the possible rollout of  “unilateral tariff letters”  to trading partners starting Friday — a move seen as a pressure tactic to accelerate trade talks. With the 90-day suspension window on April’s tariffs expiring next week, the rhetoric from Washington has taken on a sharper tone. “We are probably going to be sending some letters out… saying what they are going to pay to do business with the U.S.,” Trump stated, raising the stakes for key U.S. trading partners in Asia and Europe. While  U.S. equities extended gains  after a strong June payrolls report, the  Asian markets respo...

Markets across Asia saw cautious gains on Tuesday as global investors watched closely for updates on the massive U.S. tax and spending bill. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar weakened, and gold prices jumped on uncertainty. Key Takeaway: Cautious Optimism Amid Washington Gridlock While  Asian shares edged up , the momentum was tempered by political delays in Washington. Investors had been expecting a vote on  President Trump’s US$3.3 trillion tax-and-spending bill , but prolonged debate over amendments held things back. Japan's  Nikkei slipped as much as 1.1%  as the  yen strengthened , while the  Kospi led gains , up 1.8%. Money Master Take: Risk Assets Pause as Policy Risks Rise The world is watching Capitol Hill. Until the fate of the “ one big beautiful bill ” is sealed, expect  market jitters . While  Asian equities remain resilient , the  weaker dollar  and  gold rally  suggest a rising appetite for safety amid fiscal concerns....

Asian and European stocks climbed on Tuesday, buoyed by Wall Street’s overnight surge led by tech stocks, while the US dollar softened after Monday’s gains. Market Highlights Asian Markets Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.91% , driven by tech-sector strength. The MSCI Asia Index (ex-Japan) gained 1.16% , while Australia's benchmark hit an all-time high, ending up 0.56% . European Markets Early trading saw the Stoxx 600 up 0.62% , with France’s CAC 40 advancing 0.94% after underperforming on Monday due to political instability. US Futures Both S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures remained flat after reaching record highs on Monday. Key tech stocks: Meta Platforms surged nearly 19% . Tesla jumped 12% but dipped 1% in post-market trading following a Delaware court ruling against Elon Musk's compensation package. Currency Movements The dollar index fell 0.15% , while the euro rebounded 0.24% to $1.0524 and the pound climbed 0.27% to $1.2692 . The Chinese yuan slid to a 13-mon...

Asian shares dipped on Thursday , weighed down by weak Chinese markets. Meanwhile, US bond yields climbed, pushing the dollar higher as investors evaluated inflation expectations and policy direction in the US. Bitcoin steadied above $90,000 , fueled by optimism around Donald Trump’s presidency, seen as favorable for cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin was last trading at $90,151, up 1.7% , having gained over 30% in the last two weeks. Investors are speculating on Federal Reserve rate cuts next month following a recent inflation report. However, Trump's anticipated policies of tax cuts and higher tariffs could raise inflation, limiting the Fed's flexibility in 2025. With Republicans projected to control Congress , Trump’s agenda could move forward largely unopposed. In Asia, China’s latest economic support measures fell short of investor expectations . The country’s property sector remains weak, with tax incentives on home and land transactions failing to boost sentiment. Longer-dated...

Asian shares are expected to decline on Tuesday, following Wall Street's dip after a record-setting rally. Futures in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Sydney pointed to losses, while Tokyo looked poised for modest gains. This comes after the S&P 500 fell 0.2% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.8% , with most sectors except technology moving lower. A key focus is on the S&P 500 , which has gone about 30 sessions without consecutive losses, a streak that ranks among the best since 1928, despite concerns over the index being overbought. According to Dan Wantrobski, director of research at Janney Montgomery Scott , the index remains vulnerable to short-term profit-taking. US 10-year Treasury yields jumped by 11 basis points to 4.20%, with Australia’s 10-year yield rising by 9 basis points. T Rowe Price’s Arif Husain predicts that yields could test the 5% threshold in the next six months due to rising inflation expectations and fiscal spending concerns. Meanwhile, in Asia,...

Asian stocks are expected to track the US selloff after a disappointing outlook from Europe's largest tech firm, ASML Holding NV , and concerns about new US curbs on chip sales weighed heavily on the tech sector, which has driven much of the recent bull market. Futures for Tokyo , Hong Kong , and Sydney suggested declines, following the S&P 500’s 0.8% drop. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 fell 1.4% , driven by a 4.5% decline in Nvidia Corp due to discussions about capping sales of advanced AI chips to certain countries. Meanwhile, ASML plunged 16% after cutting its 2025 guidance . A survey by Bank of America Corp suggested that investors are increasingly bullish, signaling a potential sell-off in global stocks as allocations to equities surged, while bond exposure and cash levels dropped. In Asia , traders will be closely monitoring China's stocks after the housing minister announced a press briefing to provide more details about potential property sector support . US-...

Asian stocks fluctuated on Monday as investors wrestled with varying interpretations of China’s weekend promises for economic stimulus. While the pledges were broad, details on the overall scale of the measures were lacking, leaving investors uncertain about the longevity of a potential stock market rally. At a closely-watched news conference on Saturday, China's Minister of Finance, Lan Foan, vowed to "significantly increase" debt , yet the absence of specifics caused differing reactions among market participants. Morgan Stanley analysts noted that onshore investors viewed Beijing’s restructuring of local government and housing debt as more impactful than foreign investors did. The divergence was visible in Monday’s trading session. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index opened slightly lower , while mainland China's CSI 300 index surged 1.6% . Property stocks onshore and offshore fared well, with the Hang Seng Mainland Properties Index gaining 2.2% and the CSI 300 Real Estat...

  Asian equities rose on Thursday, bolstered by a fresh US market high ahead of upcoming inflation data that could shape Federal Reserve policy in the coming months. Stocks in Japan, South Korea, Australia, and China advanced, driven by positive momentum from Wall Street and news of a People’s Bank of China liquidity tool for institutional investors to purchase stocks, a measure initially announced last month. Shares in Hong Kong and mainland China surged after details of the liquidity tool were released, though markets remain volatile following a sharp drop in mainland stocks earlier this week. Treasuries were steady during Asian trading, following a slight rise in yields in New York. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index remained unchanged after rising for eight consecutive sessions. The yen also held steady, while South Korean bond futures rose after news of inclusion in FTSE Russell’s World Government Bond Index . Market volatility remains high as investors await clarity...

   Asian markets fell on Monday, following losses in the US, as investors focused on China’s market reopening after a weeklong holiday. Shares in Tokyo dropped, while US markets were impacted by a tech selloff , geopolitical concerns , and speculations on a smaller rate cut from the Federal Reserve . China's top economic planner is scheduled to hold a briefing, with investors eagerly awaiting potential new policy measures . Before the holidays, China introduced a series of stimulus measures , which significantly boosted investor confidence and propelled Chinese stocks to soar. However, some investors remain cautious about how long the Chinese stock rally will last. Major institutions like JPMorgan , Invesco , and HSBC are watching to see if Beijing will follow up on its stimulus pledges with concrete action. The CSI 300 Index in China surged 8.5% on Sept. 30, the last trading day before the holiday. In the US, the S&P 500 dropped 1% , as tech stocks like Alphabet...

Asian stocks retreated on Friday, while oil prices surged , marking their sharpest weekly gain in over a year, as escalating tensions in the Middle East kept markets jittery ahead of the upcoming US jobs report. US President Joe Biden's comments about potential strikes on Iran's oil facilities as retaliation for Tehran's missile attack on Israel spurred the rise in oil prices , which had already been climbing due to the conflict in the region. Brent crude futures edged down 0.04% to US$77.59 per barrel but are on track for a weekly gain of 7.8% , the largest since February 2023. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude steadied at US$73.71 per barrel, set for an 8.1% weekly advance , the biggest since March 2023. The heightened caution led most Asian equities into the red , with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan down 0.32%, and Australian shares dropping 1%. Meanwhile, Japan's Nikkei reversed early gains , trading 0.08% lower, and heading ...

A sharp rebound in Chinese stocks is prompting a shift in global portfolios, with some investors rushing to take advantage of the rally. After Beijing's recent stimulus measures , money that had flowed into stocks from Japan and Southeast Asia is now being redirected back into Chinese equities , according to market analysts. Shares in South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand saw net outflows last week, while BNP Paribas SA reported that more than $20 billion was withdrawn from Japanese equities in the first three weeks of September. The MSCI China Index has climbed more than 30% from a recent low , fueled by Beijing's policy-driven recovery efforts. Eric Yee, senior portfolio manager at Atlantis Investment Management in Singapore, said, “We are trimming our long positions across Asia to fund China purchases. Everyone is doing so. It’s a good policy-driven recovery from rock bottom.” Despite the recent rally, Chinese stocks remain attractively priced. The MSCI Ch...

  Asian share markets showed mixed performance on Monday, as China’s continued rally contrasted with a sharp drop in Japan's Nikkei . Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and concerns over Japan’s interest rate policies weighed on investor sentiment. China’s blue-chip CSI 300 Index climbed another 3.0% , adding to last week's impressive 16% surge , while the Shanghai Composite rose 4.4% , continuing its upward momentum. This extended rally was fueled by Beijing's aggressive stimulus measures , including mortgage rate cuts and liquidity support, designed to combat the country’s economic downturn. Meanwhile, the Nikkei tumbled 4.1% amid investor uncertainty over new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s stance on monetary policy . While Ishiba had previously criticized the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) easy policies , he adopted a more conciliatory tone over the weekend, stating that monetary policy must remain accommodative given the current state of Japan’s economy. This he...

Asian markets mostly held their ground on Monday, supported by China's latest stimulus measures , but Japan's Nikkei took a sharp dive , driven by concerns that the country’s new prime minister might favor normalizing interest rates . The Nikkei fell 4.0% , as investors were uncertain about Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s stance on the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) monetary policy , despite his weekend comments suggesting that monetary policy "must remain accommodative" due to the current state of the economy. The uncertainty led to a brief recovery in the yen, with the dollar bouncing 0.5% to ¥142.85 after falling from ¥146.49 on Friday. Meanwhile, China's central bank announced plans to lower mortgage rates on existing home loans by 50 basis points on average by the end of October. This comes as part of Beijing's largest stimulus package since the pandemic, aimed at tackling deflation risks and reviving the economy. Christian Keller, head of economic research a...

Asian stocks firmed on Monday, buoyed by China's surprise decision to lower its 14-day repo rate by 10 basis points, just days after the central bank disappointed markets by not cutting longer-term rates. This move pushed Chinese blue chips up 0.5% , supporting regional market sentiment ahead of key central bank meetings expected to bring additional rate cuts and US inflation data that may signal further easing. With Japan closed for a holiday , trading volumes were thin. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 0.2%, following a strong 2.7% rebound last week. Nikkei futures traded higher, reflecting a continued rally from last week as the yen weakened, and the Bank of Japan (BOJ) signaled no rush to tighten policy further. In Europe, EUROSTOXX 50 futures rose 0.3%, and FTSE futures added 0.1%. In the US, S&P 500 futures were up 0.3%, while Nasdaq futures climbed 0.5%, reflecting optimism in the wake of the Federal Reserve's recent rat...

  Asian markets extended their rally on Friday, buoyed by the US Federal Reserve's outsized interest rate cut , while investors remained cautious ahead of the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) monetary policy decision. Meanwhile, Chinese stocks lagged, with the central bank holding its benchmark lending rates steady, disappointing those hoping for further policy support. MSCI's broad index of Asia-Pacific shares (excluding Japan) rose 0.5% , reaching a two-month high and aiming for a 2.4% weekly gain . Japan's Nikkei surged 1.9% , supported by a weaker yen and profit-taking from recent rallies. For the week, the Nikkei is up 3.4% . The BOJ is expected to maintain its short-term rate at 0.25% , with traders focused on signals from Governor Kazuo Ueda regarding future rate hikes . The yen has already dropped 1% this week, trading at 142.28 per US dollar , as Japan's core inflation continued to rise, bolstering expectations of further tightening by the BOJ later in the ...

Asian stocks fell on Wednesday, driven by concerns over global growth, the impact of the U.S. presidential debate, and an anticipated U.S. inflation report. The yen gained strength after a Bank of Japan (BOJ) member indicated potential for further interest-rate hikes. Key Takeaways: Market Reactions to Economic Indicators and Events : The region’s equities gauge declined for a third consecutive session, led by Japan and Hong Kong, as traders prepared for the U.S. consumer price index release and the Federal Reserve's policy meeting next week. Concerns over global growth were heightened by a drop in oil prices below $70 per barrel and lower U.S. Treasury yields. Currency Movements and Policy Expectations : The dollar edged lower while the yen reached its strongest level against the greenback since January. This shift followed comments from BOJ policymaker Junko Nakagawa, who suggested that the BOJ would adjust its easing measures if economic conditions aligned with expectations. The...

Asian shares made a modest recovery on Tuesday, reversing early losses after a rally on Wall Street, but concerns over China's struggling economy kept investor sentiment cautious. Key Takeaways: Asian Markets Rebound Following Wall Street Gains : The MSCI Asia-Pacific index outside Japan rose 0.2%, recovering from a 1.11% drop in the previous session, which marked a one-month low. Japan's Nikkei also gained 0.4%, supported by financial and consumer stocks. The positive momentum followed Wall Street's overnight rally, where all three major US stock indices surged more than 1% as risk-off sentiment stabilized. Focus on US Inflation Data and Fed Rate Cuts : Markets are closely watching the upcoming US inflation data, expected to show a slowdown to an annual 2.6% in August. A deviation from this forecast could impact the number and pace of Federal Reserve rate cuts. Currently, markets are pricing in a 29% chance of a 50-basis-point rate cut next week, with a total of 110 basis ...

Asian share markets attempted to stabilize on Thursday following a steep global sell-off, while a rally in US Treasuries weakened the dollar and boosted the yen. Concerns over the US economy have heightened expectations of significant interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve (Fed). Key Market Movements: Equities: Japan's Nikkei fell 0.5% to its lowest level in three weeks. Tech-heavy markets in Taiwan and South Korea both rose by 1%, helping lift MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan by 0.6%, breaking a three-day losing streak. US Economic Data: Investors are closely watching a week full of economic data releases, including Wednesday's mixed labor data and Tuesday's weak manufacturing figures, which have kept markets jittery. The focus is on the upcoming US services industry reading and jobless claims data. However, the key event will be Friday's August non-farm payrolls report, expected to provide clear indications of the US economy's dire...

  Asian stocks and oil prices tumbled on Wednesday as renewed worries over US economic growth and a sharp selloff in technology shares triggered a flight from risky assets. The decline followed a significant tech selloff on Wall Street, led by a nearly 10% drop in Nvidia, and continued concerns over weak economic data from China. Key Takeaways: Broad Market Declines Led by Asia and Tech Stocks : Japan's Nikkei led the downturn in Asia with a more than 3% fall, while the MSCI Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan lost 1.6%. The selloff extended globally, with US and European futures also in decline. The pullback was driven by a confluence of factors, including weak US manufacturing data and a cautious return to trading after the US Labor Day holiday, prompting widespread portfolio de-risking. Oil Prices Hit Multi-Month Lows : Brent crude and US crude oil prices dropped to their lowest levels since December, falling to $73.32 and $69.83 per barrel, respectively. Concerns over China's...