financetom
World
financetom
/
World
/
Morning Bid: Asian stocks eye best run since 2021
News World Market Environment Technology Personal Finance Politics Retail Business Economy Cryptocurrency Forex Stocks Market Commodities
Morning Bid: Asian stocks eye best run since 2021
May 20, 2024 3:05 PM

(Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets.

Investors' appetite for stocks and risk assets shows no sign of waning which, in the absence of any major market-moving economic data or events in Asia on Tuesday, should pave the way for further gains across the continent when trading gets underway.

Monday's global market moves encapsulated the 'FOMO' that seems to be fueling the ongoing risk rally - volatility, the dollar, bond yields and geopolitical uncertainty all rose to varying degrees, yet equities marched higher regardless.

'Fear of missing out' - which some might say isn't all that far removed 'irrational exuberance' - is a powerful force. But it can also be a red flag, especially when long-time market bears join the frenzy.

Morgan Stanley's U.S. equity strategist Mike Wilson has not been the only Wall Street bear over the last couple of years, but he has certainly been one of the most prominent.

On Monday, he and his team raised their base-case, 12-month forecast for the S&P 500 to 5400 points. That's only up around 2% from Friday's close, but 20% higher than their previous forecast of 4500.

Only time will tell if Wilson's about-turn will be an indication that investors' exuberance has become irrational. Right now, however, at least until chipmaker Nvidia's earnings on Wednesday, market bulls are firmly in control.

And Asia is enjoying the ride too.

The MSCI Asia ex-Japan equity index on Monday rose to a two-year high with its seventh consecutive rise, its best run since January last year. Another increase on Tuesday will seal its best run since August-September 2021.

Japan's Nikkei is back above 39,000 points for the first time in over a month, and the dollar is back above 156.00 yen. The dollar is now within one yen, more or less, of where Japanese authorities are widely thought to have conducted yen-buying intervention on May 1.

Intervention seems unlikely right now, but currency traders will not be complacent. The latest Commodity Futures Trading Commission data show that speculators reduced their net short yen positions for a third week, but not by much.

The main event on the Asian and Pacific calendar on Tuesday is the release of the minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia's May 7 policy meeting.

The RBA quashed market talk at the time of a near-term interest rate hike but also didn't hold out much chance of a cut for months to come. The Aussie dollar has regained its poise since then to climb to a four-month high just above $0.67.

Australian rates markets are not fully pricing in a 25-basis point rate cut until April next year.

Here are key developments that could provide more direction to markets on Tuesday:

- Reserve Bank of Australia meeting minutes

- Australia consumer sentiment (May)

- Indonesia's government presents 2025 economic forecasts to parliament

Comments
Welcome to financetom comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Related Articles >
Japan's Nikkei ends sharply lower as yen gains on bets on BOJ's policy tweak
Japan's Nikkei ends sharply lower as yen gains on bets on BOJ's policy tweak
Mar 6, 2024
(Updates with closing prices) TOKYO, March 7 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average slipped from a record high to end sharply lower on Thursday amid sell-off of chip-related stocks as the yen gained amid growing expectations for the Bank of Japan's policy tweak. The Nikkei ended 1.23% lower - its sharpest daily drop since Jan. 26 - at 39,598.71, after...
JGB yields higher, traders cautious ahead of March BOJ meeting
JGB yields higher, traders cautious ahead of March BOJ meeting
Mar 6, 2024
TOKYO, March 7 (Reuters) - Japanese government bond (JGB) yields rose on Thursday, after a local media report fuelled expectations the Bank of Japan (BOJ) could exit from negative interest rate policy as soon as this month. The benchmark 10-year JGB yield rose 2 basis points (bps) to a two-week high of 0.730%. The two-year JGB yield rose as high...
MORNING BID ASIA-Selloff, what selloff? Markets back in their groove
MORNING BID ASIA-Selloff, what selloff? Markets back in their groove
Mar 6, 2024
March 7 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets. As you were. Asian markets are set for a positive open on Thursday following a widespread 'risk on' move on Wednesday, while investors in the region await trade figures from China and Australia, and an interest rate decision from Malaysia. Global stocks and risk assets on Wednesday...
Japan's Nikkei slips from record high as yen gains on bets on BOJ's policy tweak
Japan's Nikkei slips from record high as yen gains on bets on BOJ's policy tweak
Mar 6, 2024
TOKYO, March 7 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average slipped from a record high to trade lower on Thursday, as the yen strengthened amid growing expectations that the Bank of Japan would end its negative rate policy this month. The Nikkei initially rose, tracking overnight gains of Wall Street's three major indexes, to hit a record high of 40,472.11. The...
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.financetom.com All Rights Reserved