Get 40% Off
These stocks are up over 10% post earnings. Did you spot the buying opportunity? Our AI did.Read how

CORRECTED-GLOBAL MARKETS-Stocks take China tightening in stride

Published 04/17/2011, 09:22 PM

(Corrects to show the New Zealand dollar fell not rose in 1st and 9th graf)

* Euro dips but fall seen limited

* Gold hits another record, ETF holdings rise

By Saikat Chatterjee

HONG KONG, April 18 (Reuters) - Shares in Asia's developed markets edged up as investors bet that China's latest round of policy tightening would not derail hopes of a sustained economic recovery, while the high-yielding Kiwi dollar fell nearly a percent after inflation data.

China raised banks' reserve requirements for the fourth time this year on Sunday. The move was not a surprise as market players had predicted more tightening after last week's

data showed an acceleration in inflation. [ID:nL3E7FH05Y].

But the policy action may temper heavy buying in Asian equities which received a boost from a strong Wall Street close, riding on the back of encouraging U.S. data.

Japan's Nikkei opened slightly up and Australia's benchmark index was also up 0.1 percent. MSCI's index of Asia Pacific shares outside Japan was flat, weighed down by a decline in South Korean stocks .

"The market will probably open carefully today as it's near a record high, and positive momentum currently is a bit weak with China's policy moves," said Kim Soo-young, a market analyst at KB Investment & Securities.

In currency markets, the euro dipped as traders grew sceptical of a quick solution to the euro zone's festering debt crisis after Finnish voters handed the anti-euro True Finns party a crucial role in parliament and possibly into government. [ID:nLDE73G02L]

3rd party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Investing.com. See disclosure here or remove ads .

But the common currency is expected to be supported by prospects of another interest rate hike after last week's quarter point increase, as data showed euro zone inflation climbed higher than expected in March. [ID:nLDE73E12U]

In contrast, the Fed is expected to continue with its ultra easy policy stance, encouraging investors to search for high-yielding currencies elswhere.

The New Zealand dollar fell nearly 1 percent after inflation came in below market expectations, leaving the central bank room to keep interest rates at a record low. It hit a three-year high of $0.8000 late last week. [ID:nL3E7FI02L]

In commodities, gold rose to yet another record high, building on four consecutive weeks of gains, powered by rising inflation pressures and a weakening dollar. Holdings in the SPDR Gold Trust , the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, rose too. [ID:nL3E7FI013]

U.S. crude futures headed lower towards $109 a barrel as traders took profits after three days of gains despite comments by Saudi Arabia confirming a cut in crude production to counter an oversupplied market. Prices have retreated slightly after hitting a 2-1/2 year peak of $113.46 earlier this month.

Notwithstanding the commodities rally, U.S. Treasury yields declined as recent data showed underlying U.S. inflation pressures remained subdued. Ten-year yields edged a basis point lower to 3.40 percent after falling 9 basis points on Friday.

* For Reuters Global Investing Blog, click on

http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting

* For the MacroScope Blog, click on

3rd party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Investing.com. See disclosure here or remove ads .

http://blogs.reuters.com/macroscope

* For Hedge Fund Blog, click on

http://blogs.reuters.com/hedgehub (Additional reporting by Jungyoun Park in SEOUL and Ian Chua in SYDNEY; Editing by Alex Richardson)

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.