Economic Data
(JP) JAPAN SEPT RETAIL TRADE M/M: -3.6% V -1.5%E; Y/Y: 0.4% V 1.0%E; LARGE RETAILER'S SALES: -1.0% V -1.2%E
(KR) South Korea Nov Manufacturing Business Outlook: 72 v 70 m/m (seasonally adjusted)
(SG) Singapore Q3 Private Home Prices Q/Q: 0.6% v 0.4% prior
(VN) VIETNAM OCT INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION Y/Y: 5.7% V 9.7% PRIOR
Markets Snapshot (as of 04:00GMT)
Nikkei225 flat
S&P/ASX +0.1%
Kospi +0.3%
Shanghai Composite -0.1%
Hang Seng -0.3%
Dec S&P500 -0.4% at 1,402
Dec gold +0.2% at 1,715/oz
Dec Crude Oil -0.4% at $85.9/brl
Notes/Observations
China markets were in negative territory following news that the PBoC are less likely to press ahead with a cut in the Reserve Requirement Ratio (RRR) stemming from growth in foreign currency positions and an inclination to employ reverse repos to inject liquidly. There were additional reports out of China that the country may not have conditions the bounce back.
The weakness in the Japan yen was seen across the board ahead of tomorrow's Bank of Japan interest rate decision, where the BoJ is anticipated to raise the asset purchase program from ¥80 trillion to ¥85-90 trillion. Analysts have also noted that a ¥20 trillion increase is possible.
Fixed Income/Currencies/Commodities
(CN) China advantage in rare earth is declining - financial press
(VN) Vietnam Central Bank extended gold deposits deadline to 30th June - financial press
Speakers/Political/In the Papers
(JP) According to Nikkei surveys, approval rating for PM Noda cabinet fell about 13pts from prior month to 20% - Nikkei News
(JP) Japan coastguard: Four of China's maritime surveillance ships spotted in the waters near disputed Senkaku islands on Sunday; in related news South Korea to rename peaks on disputed islands with Japan to reassert its sovereignty over the territory
(IN) India PM Singh reshuffled cabinet today to promote some of the younger ministers ahead of the 2014 general elections
(CN) China regulators may scrap approvals for mutual funds; this may possibly shorten the time required to launch a new fund to 20 working days.
(CN) Chinese State Researcher: China initiative to cut its Reserve Requirement Ratio (RRR) greatly reduced; CNY currency continued appreciation unlikely - Chinese Securities Journal
(CN) China Premeir Wen family denied reports of accumulation of $2.7B in wealth - Chinese press
(TW) Taiwan Central Bank Gov Perng: Taiwan yuan clearing to begin following leadership change in China
(HK) Hong Kong Transport and Housing Anthony Secy Cheung prepared to deal with property speculation; the govt prepared to crack down on speculation in the commercial property sector if it continues to heat up
(AU) Australia PM Gillard: Unveiled policy blueprint titled "Australia in the Asian Century" with a series of targets for the next 13 years - financial press
(NZ) New Zealand govt plans supply-side action regarding housing - Dominion Post
Asia Equities
HMC: Reports H1 Q2 Net ¥82.2B v ¥108.9Be, Rev ¥2.27T v ¥2.41Te; Cuts FY12/13 Net ¥375B from ¥470B, Op Profit ¥520B from ¥620B, Rev ¥9.8T from ¥10.3T
293.HK: Spokesperson: Canceling flights to New York due to storm - industry press
883.HK: Exec: Has started to operate 200K ton/year acrylic acid and ester project in Huizhou - financial press
TLS.AU: To expand Asia services - AFR
2628.HK: Reports 9-month Rev CNY95.2B v CNY95Be; Premiums earned CNY76.3B v CNY67.9B y/y
SINZ.CN: Officials in Chinese city of Ningbo to delay $8.9B expansion of petrochemicals facility for further environmental review after local protests - financial press
9201.JP: May report H1 op profit just over ¥110B, +10% yy; Rev seen above ¥600B, similar to y/y levels - Nikkei News
ZNH: Reports Q3 Net CNY2.22B v CNY3.13B y/y
SNP: Reports prelim Q3 net profit CNY18.3B v CNY20.2B y/y
2324.TW: Chengdu factory operations are running at normal levels currenty - financial press
902.HK: Qinhuangdao coal stockpiles rise to 5.5M tons, prices unchanged at CNY635-645/ton
2768.JP: Enters into desalination business in west Africa; project valued at approx $130M - financial press
5405.JP: To combine lead frame business with Hitachi cable
5020.JP: Awarded 18 exploration blocks from UK govt
US Equities
NYX: NYSE to close trading floor on Monday due to Hurricane Sandy
NWSA: Said to have expressed interest in acquiring Penguin Group publishing house - financial press