* Indonesian assets rise post the unexpected rate hike
* China's producer prices hit highest in nearly 4 years
* US CPI data due later on Wednesday
By Avinash P
June 10 (Reuters) - An index tracking emerging market stocks
fell on Wednesday, dragged down by heavyweight Asian bourses
as strikes by the United States and Iran tempered risk appetite
and clouded prospects of a quick peace deal.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had carried out
missile and drone attacks on U.S. military bases in the Middle
East on Wednesday after U.S. strikes on Iranian targets around
the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran had
downed a U.S. Apache helicopter near the strait on Tuesday.
The clashes mark one of the biggest flare-ups in
hostilities since a ceasefire was agreed in April.
Markets also awaited the latest U.S. inflation data, due
later on Wednesday, hoping for clues about the Federal Reserve's
policy path.
"A stronger-than-expected set of figures could echo what we
saw on Friday following the U.S. jobs data, sending bond yields
higher and stock prices lower. The moves could be just as sharp,
depending on the data," said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst
at Swissquote Bank.
"The market is so crowded with bulls right now that even a
small fear could turn into a nightmare."
The MSCI index of EM stocks fell 2.5%, with
heavyweights South Korea and Taiwan slipping
4.5% and 3.3% respectively.
The index has traded lower in five of the last six sessions,
with a pause in the AI rally adding to the gloom. It is still up
nearly 19% for the year and has outperformed S&P 500's
7.9% rise.
Indonesia's assets, however, continued their ascent for a
second straight session, a day after an unexpected off-cycle
rate hike by Bank Indonesia to support the weakening currency
surprised markets.
Local equities added 2.7%, while the rupiah
appreciated 0.6% versus the dollar.
China's producer prices rose for a third straight month in
May to the highest since July 2022, while consumer prices stayed
elevated as energy prices stemming from the Iran war piled on
cost pressures.
The Chinese stocks benchmarks declined
0.4% and 1.1% respectively. The yuan was little
changed.
MSCI's gauge of EM currencies was off 0.2%.
Turkey's stocks fell 0.4%, while the lira
firmed against the dollar.
In emerging Europe, the Hungarian forint was
slightly lower against the euro but was hovering near four-year
highs. Other major currencies were also trading lower.
Stocks in Poland fell 1.2%, while Hungary was
down 0.7%. Romanian stocks were little changed.
Elsewhere, Ukrainian state energy firm Naftogaz said it has
reached a preliminary agreement to restructure two Eurobond
tranches worth 1.2 billion euros ($1.38 billion) due this year
and in 2028.
HIGHLIGHTS:
** Kenya central bank holds key rate, monitors impact of oil
prices on inflation
** Turkey opposition crisis deepens as rival CHP leaders hold
duelling meetings
** Iran war drags India equity mutual fund flows to one-year low
in May
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