Asia stocks suffer fresh losses, further volatility tipped

An investor scratches his head near an electronic board displaying market movements at a brokerage in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 31, 2015. Asian stocks fell Monday after a US Federal Reserve official suggested a September interest rate hike still was possible and Japanese factory activity weakened. AP PHOTO/NG HAN GUAN

HONG KONG—Chinese stocks sank again Monday, dragging most other Asian bourses lower amid uncertainty over US interest rates, reviving fears of a broader global economic slowdown that has rocked the world’s financial markets.

Analysts warned of further gyrations following a rollercoaster ride last week, with investors shifting into safe-haven assets such as the yen and gold, while oil sagged.

In a bid to settle investors’ nerves, Beijing on Monday paraded a financial journalist “confessing” to causing “great losses” during recent market turbulence.

State broadcaster CCTV showed Wang Xiaolu, a journalist with the respected business magazine Caijing, saying he had sought to create a stir and catch the eyes of readers with his articles.

The ministry of public security also said at the weekend that 197 people had been punished for “spreading online rumors” on several issues, including the markets and giant deadly blasts in the port of Tianjin, but gave scant details.

But while initial stock market falls Monday of more than 3 percent were pared, Shanghai closed down 0.82 percent at 3,205.99.

The index plunged more than 16 percent from Monday to Wednesday before bouncing back by 10 percent in the next two sessions.

The rebound came after Beijing cut the cost of borrowing—its fifth interest-rate reduction since November—to try to pump up the economy, which is a key driver of global growth.

Most bourses in Asia followed Shanghai’s lead after enjoying healthy gains on Friday, with Tokyo and Sydney down more than 1 percent. European markets started weak, with Frankfurt and Paris also both down more than 1.3 percent in opening trade.

The swings in China—which have seen Shanghai lose about 40 percent since hitting a June 12 high—have fueled concerns that Beijing is struggling to get a grip on its economic slowdown.

Analysts say Beijing needs to rebalance its economy so that it relies more on consumer demand and less on lavish state spending.

A successful transition is seen as crucial for the worldwide economy.

On Friday credit rating agency Moody’s slashed its 2016 growth forecast for G20 economies to 2.8 percent from 3.1 percent, predicting contractions in Brazil and Russia and lower demand for manufactured goods in South Korea and Japan due to problems in China.

Comments from US Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer at the weekend—which left open the possibility of a September interest rate rise—have added to nervousness.

The historically low US interest rates of recent years have fueled investment in global stock markets because they have made it cheap to borrow money for speculation.

A rise would likely tamp down that appetite.

‘Difficult for the Fed’

In a speech at a conference on monetary policy in Jackson Hole, the Fed’s No. 2 said the bank would not wait for US inflation to hit 2 percent before tightening policy.

“The change in the circumstances which began with the Chinese devaluation is relatively new and we are still watching how it unfolds. So I wouldn’t want to go ahead and decide right now,” he later said in a CNBC interview.

Nader Naeimi, head of dynamic asset allocation at AMP Capital Investors in Sydney, told Bloomberg News: “We are going to continue to see volatility.

“The Fed is aware of the market volatility and you wouldn’t have thought they would be raising rates into market turmoil.

“But at the same time, data coming out of the US has been surprisingly resilient and strong. It’s very difficult for the Fed.”

Traders, fearing further losses, switched into safer investments. The dollar fell to 121.16 yen, from 121.52 yen in New York, while gold traded at $1,131.62, against $1,127.82 late Friday.

Both the precious metal and the Japanese currency are seen as safe bets in times of turmoil.

Oil prices turned lower after enjoying their best week in years.

The commodity has taken a hit from concerns about China, the world’s largest energy user, as well as a global oversupply and a strong dollar.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for October eased 89 cents to $44.33 while Brent crude fell 1.23 cents to $48.82.

The two contracts rocketed 11 and 10 percent, respectively, last week.

Tokyo stocks fell 1.28 percent to close at 18,890.48, while Sydney closed 1.07 percent lower at 5,207.0. Wellington fell 0.44 percent to 5,656.24.

But Hong Kong reversed a morning sell-off to end 0.27 percent higher at 21,670.58, while Seoul edged up 0.20 percent, wiping out early losses. And Taipei extended a recent rally, adding 1.94 percent by the end.

Manila and Kuala Lumpur were closed for public holidays.

In Europe the Paris CAC 40 lost 1.28 percent and Frankfurt’s DAX lost 1.39 percent. London was closed for a public holiday.

In other markets:

— Bangkok added 1.21 percent, or 16.47 points, to 1,382.41.

Telecoms company AIS gained 3.48 percent to 238 baht, while Bumrungrad Hospital, a popular medical tourism destination, rose 4.05 percent to 231 baht.

— Jakarta ended up 1.43 percent, or 63.41 points, at 4,509.61.

Heavy equipment distributor United Tractors gained 7.29 percent to 19,125 rupiah, while oil and gas company Medco Energi International fell 9.82 to 1,240 rupiah.

— Singapore closed down 1.17 percent, or 34.50 points, to 2,921.44.

Singapore Telecom eased 1.58 percent to Sg$3.74 while oil rig maker Keppel Corp. fell 2.84 percent to Sg$6.84.

— Mumbai fell 0.41 percent, or 109.29 points, to end at 26,283.09.

Bharat Heavy Electricals fell 3.45 percent to 226.50 rupees while drug maker Lupin rose 3.55 percent to 1,928.85 rupees.—Danny McCord

Traders, fearing further losses, switched into safer investments. The dollar fell to 121.05 yen, from 121.52 yen in New York, while gold traded at $1,134.37, against $1,127.82 late Friday.

Both the precious metal and the Japanese currency are seen as safe bets in times of turmoil as they tend to hold their value.

Oil prices turned lower after enjoying their best week in years.

The commodity is a key indicator of demand and economic health and has taken a hit from concerns about China, the world’s largest energy user, as well as a global oversupply and a strong dollar.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for October eased 58 cents to $44.64 while Brent crude fell 80 cents to $49.25.

The two contracts rocketed 11 and 10 percent, respectively, last week.

Most bourses in Asia followed Shanghai’s lead after enjoying healthy gains on Friday.

Tokyo stocks fell 1.28 percent to close at 18,890.48, while Hong Kong shed 0.10 percent in the afternoon, paring morning losses and Sydney closed 1.07 percent lower at 5,207.0. Wellington fell 0.44 percent, or 25.02 points, 5,656.24.

But Seoul edged up 0.20 percent, wiping out early losses and Taipei extended a recent rally, adding 1.94 percent by the end.

Manila and Kuala Lumpur were closed for public holidays.

First posted on Aug. 31, 2015 @ 16:04

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