Asian markets get week off to largely positive start

Currency traders watch monitors at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Updated on August 19, 2024 at 4:02 p.m.

Hong Kong, China — Asian markets mostly rose Monday following last week’s strong performance, with traders focused on a closely followed meeting of central bank chiefs where the Federal Reserve’s Jerome Powell is due to deliver a key speech.

Investors appear to have got over the turmoil that beset trading floors earlier in the month as a string of data suggested that worries of a US recession had been overdone.

Powell’s talk at the annual Jackson Hole symposium in Wyoming — which also gathers together financial leaders and policymakers — will be pored over, with hopes that he will flag an interest rate cut when Fed officials meet next month.

READ: Asian markets surge on strong US consumer data

“Investors and analysts alike will be paying close attention to any signals from Fed officials about the future direction of US interest rates,” said Luca Santos, currency analyst at ACY Securities.

“There’s growing speculation that… Powell might hint at the possibility of starting rate cuts as early as September. But the size of the cut is still up in the air.

“A modest 25 basis points reduction seems likely, but a larger 50-basis-point cut would need stronger evidence of a weakening US job market.”

All three main indexes on Wall Street rose Friday, leaving them back near the record highs touched before their August 5 rout as investors grow confident the US economy will avoid recession as the Fed cuts rates.

Most Asian markets picked up the baton Monday.

Hong Kong piled on more than one percent, while there were also gains in Shanghai, Sydney, Taipei, Manila and Jakarta, though Seoul, Singapore and Wellington dipped. Tokyo was flat.

Gold held above $2,500 after breaking the barrier for the first time ever on Friday, fuelled by expectations for Fed cuts, which makes the precious metal more attractive to investors.

READ: BSP shaves rate by 25 bps, kicks off easing cycle

And oil prices were barely moved after last week’s losses, which came on the back of demand worries as China’s economy struggles to recover.

Investors are also keeping tabs on talks to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza amid fears of a wider war in the crude-rich Middle East.

Major oil producer Iran has threatened to retaliate against Israel for last month’s killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which has been widely blamed on Israel.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders Monday to try to unblock the process for an end to hostilities.

Key figures around 0710 GMT

Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.8 percent at 37,388.62 (close)

Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.9 percent at 17,588.60

Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.5 percent at 2,893.67 (close)

London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.3 percent at 8,289.66

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1045 from $1.1022 on Friday

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2966 from $1.2945

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 146.00 yen from 147.60 yen

Euro/pound: UP at 85.20 pence from 85.14 pence

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.7 percent at $75.05 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.6 percent at $79.22 per barrel

New York – Dow: UP 0.2 percent at 40,659.76 (close)