Thursday, December 26, 2024

Asia Pacific markets trade less; China’s trade data in August missed expectations

Date:

Nomura cuts China’s GDP forecast – again

Nomura lowered its full-year Chinese GDP forecast to 2.7%, another drop from its previous estimate of 2.8% set in August.

The new forecast is based on Nomura’s analysis that found 12% of Chinese GDP to be affected by Covid controls on a weighted basis, up from 5.3% last week.

Several cities, including the tech hub of Shenzhen, have tightened Covid controls in the past few weeks after new local infections were reported. Chengdu also ordered people to stay at home while authorities conduct mass virus testing.

Read the The full story is here.

“Evelyn Cheng”

China’s August exports missed expectations. Recorded a trade surplus over weak imports

China Exports rose 7.1% in August Compared to the same period last year, official data showed, an estimate of 12.8% was missing after rising 18% in July.

Imports rose 0.3%, less than expectations for a 1.1% gain in a Reuters poll and a 2.3% increase in July.

The country saw a trade surplus of $79.39 billion in August, driven by weak import numbers, after it posted a record trade surplus of $101.26 billion in July.

Ji Lee

Oil prices fall amid expectations of higher interest rates and lower demand growth

oil prices Drops Wednesday after more Covid restrictions in China and expectations of further interest rate hikes globally.

The West Texas Intermediate While futures contracts fell 1.45% to stand at $85.62 a barrel Brent crude Futures fell 1.14% to $91.77 a barrel, giving up earlier gains after the latest OPEC+ meeting and its decision to cut production.

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Reuters forecasts expect WTI to extend its downtrend to $83.17 per barrel.

– Lee Ying Shan

CNBC Pro: Tensions between Russia and Europe could trigger a “bullish shock” for oil markets

Oil and gas stocks are set to get a boost from rising tensions surrounding Russian gas supplies to Europe, according to an analyst.

Kenny Polkari, chief market strategist at SlateStone Wealth, told CNBC’s “Street Signs Asia” that investors should focus on big US energy names that are also good earnings drivers.

One stock he named is up 125% this year, and he says there is “more room to run.”

Professional subscribers can read more here.

– Weezin Tan

Australia’s economy grows 0.9% in the second quarter

Official data showed that Australia’s real GDP grew 0.9% in the second quarter after rising 0.7% in the previous period.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics said Continued growth was supported by the first full quarter of the reopening of borders.

The data also showed that the Australian economy grew by 3.6% over the past year. ABS said strong domestic demand as well as increased travel were supporting overall growth.

– Jie Lee

CNBC Pro: This chip stock has convincingly outperformed its peers this year — and analysts think it could rise

US Treasury yields are at their highest since mid-June

The bond sale boosted US Treasury yields to their highest levels since mid-June as investors weigh what strong economic data means for future interest rate hikes for the Federal Reserve.

The 10-year US Treasury yield rose 3.353%, the highest since June 16, when the yield was 3.495%. Yield is opposite to price.

The 30-year US Treasury yield was 3.484% and the 5-year US Treasury yield was 3.334%, both the highest levels seen since mid-June.

The two-year yield also rose to a daily high of 3.535%, but it is the highest note yield since Friday.

– Carmen Renick

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