Asian markets gain as Fed promises patience

HONG KONG–Asian markets mostly rallied Thursday, with investors reversing a recent sell-off spurred by a Wall Street recovery and indications the Federal Reserve will keep rates on hold until mid-2015.

The dollar was boosted by comments from US central bank policymakers, which analysts said suggested they have changed tack and will not start to lift rates from record lows until the first six months of next year.

Tokyo climbed 2.32 percent, or 390.32 points, to 17,210.05 as the greenback advanced against the yen, while Sydney jumped 0.95 percent, or 48.9 points, to close at 5,210.8.

Hong Kong gained 1.09 percent, or 246.37 points, to 22,832.21.

However, Seoul ended 0.14 percent lower, dipping 2.66 points to 1,897.50, while Shanghai lost 0.11 percent, or 3.50 points, at 3,057.52 following a four-day rally that saw it hit a four-year high.

The Fed’s policy committee said it “judges that it can be patient in beginning to normalize the stance of monetary policy,” adding that the decision will depend on economic data.

Policy, it said, was consistent with its prior statement that it would only begin raising rates “a considerable time” after its massive stimulus program ended in October.

Although the change in language was subtle, “it was nevertheless a modification consistent with the view that rates are likely to rise in the first half of next year,” said Omer Esiner, chief market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange.

The news sent US shares surging. The Dow rose 1.69 percent, the S&P 500 soared 2.04 percent and the Nasdaq jumped 2.12 percent.

And on currency markets, the dollar gained in New York to 118.63 yen from 117.07 yen in Tokyo earlier Wednesday. In Asian trade Thursday, the greenback was at 118.60 yen.

The euro bought 146.34 yen and $1.2341, compared with 146.43 yen and $1.2343.

Russia cushions ruble

News that oil supplies in top consumer the United States had dipped helped to push crude prices up slightly Wednesday, providing some respite from a recent plunge.

But on Thursday in Asia, prices retreated again. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for January delivery was 16 cents down at $56.31 while Brent crude for February eased 28 cents to $60.90.

Meanwhile, analysts said Russian moves to stabilize the ruble, which touched a record low against the dollar this week, seemed to be working.

Moscow said it would sell about $7 billion in foreign reserves to prop up its currency and also implement other measures to prevent a sell-off–soothing fears about Russia’s economic troubles spreading to the eurozone.

The moves helped the ruble to 58 against the dollar in early Moscow trade, well up from the 80 touched on Tuesday.

Gold was at $1,210.13 an ounce, compared with $1,197.34 late Wednesday.

In other markets:

— Taipei rose 0.57 percent, or 50.27 points, to 8878.63.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. rose 0.77 percent to Tw$131.5 while Hon Hai was 0.59 percent higher at Tw$84.8.

— Wellington added 0.40 percent, or 21.89 points, to 5,518.48.

Trade Me was up 0.57 percent at NZ$3.52 and Chorus gained 0.75 percent to NZ$2.69.

— Manila added 0.91 percent, or 63.07 points, to 7,029.28.

Philippine Long Distance Telephone added 0.72 percent to 2,790.00 pesos and Universal Robina Corp. surged 2.04 percent to 189.80 pesos, but Ayala Land fell 0.45 percent to 32.85 pesos.

— Kuala Lumpur added 1.07 percent, or 18.05 points, to 1,699.95.

Malayan Banking rose 1.54 percent to 8.57 ringgit, while British American Tobacco fell 1.38 percent to 62.90.

— Jakarta ended up 1.54 percent, or 77.70 points, at 5,113.35.

Palm oil producer Astra Agro Lestari rose 4.02 percent to 23,300 rupiah, while Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper lost 0.47 percent to 1,065 rupiah.

— Singapore rose 0.51 percent, or 16.42 points, to 3,243.65.

DBS Bank rose 2.36 percent to Sg$19.53 while warehouse operator Global Logistic Properties fell 3.21 percent at Sg$2.41.

— Bangkok gained 2.47 percent, or 36.59 points, to 1,516.79.

Giant oil firm PTT Exploration and Production soared 6.82 percent to 117.50 baht, while coal producer Banpu rose 5.26 percent to 26 baht.

— Mumbai rose 1.56 percent, or 416.44 points, to end at 27,126.57 points.

Bharat Heavy Electricals gained 4.91 percent to 257.30 rupees, while diversified conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra fell 0.46 percent to 1,214.20 rupees.