China’s Covid flare-up weighs on Asian markets
US OTC equity markets were closed overnight for the July 4th holiday, but US futures posted consistent gains as markets pinned their hopes on a reduction of US tariffs on Chinese goods this week. S&P 500 futures are 0.40% higher, Nasdaq futures have rallied by 0.85%, and Dow futures have gained 0.55%.
That theme saw Asian markets open higher this morning, but that rally seems to have faded as the session marched on. Concerns around the latest China virus flare-up and the prospect of restrictions seem to be weighing on Asian markets and rightly so. Lower tariffed goods to the US will mean little if supply chain disruptions from China occur again. That has led to a mixed day across Asia.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 is 0.55% higher today, well of the intraday highs, while South Korea’s Kospi has rallied by 1.20%. Mainland China has moved into the red, the Shanghai Composite falling by 0.25%, with the CSI 300 falling by 0.60% despite an impressive recovery by the Caixin Services PMI data. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng has now fallen into negative territory, down by 0.05%.
Singapore is 0.30% lower, with Taipei easing by 0.25%, Kuala Lumpur clinging to a 0.05% gain, while Jakarta is outperforming, rising by 0.90%. Manila has also surprised, rallying by 1.20%, with Bangkok adding 0.25%. Australia is clinging onto some of its earlier gains ahead of the RBA policy decision, with 0.50% priced in. Still, its high beta to China means it is well off earlier highs in the day. The ASX 200 and All Ordinaries are 0.30% higher.
Europe had a mixed session overnight, and with a US holiday and a slow news day, there will be little to inspire a strong direction move this afternoon. I expect a neutral opening. With US futures gaining during the US holiday, and China tariff cuts expected this week, I expect US markets to focus their efforts on this direction and open higher tonight, potentially lifting European markets later in the day.
This article is for general information purposes only. It is not investment advice or a solution to buy or sell securities. Opinions are the authors; not necessarily that of OANDA Corporation or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. Leveraged trading is high risk and not suitable for all. You could lose all of your deposited funds.
He has previously worked with leading institutions such as Saxo Capital Markets, DynexCorp Currency Portfolio Management, IG, IFX, Fimat Internationale Banque, HSBC and Barclays.
A highly sought-after analyst, Jeffrey has appeared on a wide range of global news channels including Bloomberg, BBC, Reuters, CNBC, MSN, Sky TV, Channel News Asia as well as in leading print publications including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, among others.
He was born in New Zealand and holds an MBA from the Cass Business School.
