Asia extends global stocks rally on rate optimism, jobs in focus

Asia extends global stocks rally on rate optimism, jobs in focus

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index led gains across Asia
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index led gains across Asia. Photo: PHILIPPE LOPEZ / AFP
Source: AFP

Equities extended a global rally Friday as investors were caught up in a wave of optimism that the Federal Reserve has finished its cycle of interest rate hikes, with eyes now on the release of US jobs data.

After a fallow past two months, markets have recovered some of their mojo after the US central bank left borrowing costs on hold for a second straight meeting and hinted that no more were likely.

While boss Jerome Powell left the door open for another lift as officials battle to bring inflation down, traders were sceptical of such a move, with elevated Treasury yields seen acting as a substitute for more tightening.

The news provided fresh hope that the Fed will be able to guide the world's number one economy to a so-called soft landing and avoid a recession.

Read also

Stocks rally and dollar drop on hopes Fed rates have peaked

It also lit a fuse under equities Wednesday, and the rally continued in Asia going into the weekend.

"Asian stocks are coat-tailing the bullish momentum in US stocks and long-dated Treasuries as investors read in the tea leaves the strong possibility that the Federal Reserve has completed its cycle of rate hikes," said Stephen Innes, at SPI Asset Management.

He added that the payrolls report later Friday would be pivotal.

"Too hot or cold could swing the pendulum to more 'watchful waiting' to see how the Fed responds or, worse, more imminent recession fear if the print misses by a wide margin.

"But coming in near or on the breadth of economist's guesses would probably hit a high note for investors."

Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore and Manila all rose more than one percent, while there were also big gains in Shanghai, Taipei, Wellington, Jakarta.

Read also

At halfway point, next challenges loom for ECB's Lagarde

Solita Marcelli, at UBS Global Wealth Management, saw Treasuries falling further in the new year, and added: "The improving outlook for a softish landing for the US economy should also provide a positive backdrop for equities."

And Capital Group's Andy Budden added that "the really big message for investors is that this moment of central banks peaking is likely to be the opening of a window where it’s going to be a really good time to get invested".

However, others cautioned that Treasury yields could remain elevated -- keeping pressure on rates -- if the economy continued to perform strongly, exacerbated by Fed plans to sell more debt.

Barclays co-head of global markets Stephen Dainton warned that this being the end of Fed tightening was "very unlikely".

Still, traders are upbeat for now, with the dollar weakening as they get the confidence to find higher-risk currencies.

Oil was flat, having rallied more than two percent as traders bet on a pick-up in demand thanks to the more dovish rates outlook

Read also

Equities gain ahead of Fed, yen rebounds on intervention warning

The gains -- helped by a weaker dollar -- came after a run of losses caused by hope that the Israel-Hamas war has been contained and will not spill into a wider conflict in the crude-rich region.

But analysts said traders remained wary that the crisis could turn at any moment, and prices could quickly spike past $100.

Key figures around 0230 GMT

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 1.6 percent at 17,499.33

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.6 percent at 3,028.86

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: Closed for a holiday

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 150.39 yen from 150.48 yen on Thursday

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0624 from $$1.0626

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2195 from $1.2204

Euro/pound: UP at 87.10 pence from 87.04 pence

West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.1 percent at $82.52 per barrel

Brent North Sea crude: FLAT at $86.86 per barrel

New York - Dow: UP 1.7 percent at 33,839.08 (close)

Read also

US Fed likely to hold rates again despite strong economic growth

London - FTSE 100: UP 1.4 percent at 7,446.53 (close)

New feature: Сheck out news that is picked for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.