Asian markets down over Fed signal, China tech crackdown

July 08, 2021: Asian markets were broadly down Thursday after the Fed signalled a possible inflation-induced policy change.

The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that while rising prices were expected as the US economy recovered from the pandemic, the inflation jump was higher than expected.

Officials said the US central bank needs to be ready to pull back on its massive support programme if this persists, according to minutes from a June policy meeting.

But it gave no indication that a reversal was imminent, a stance consistent with commentary from Fed chair Jay Powell that did not jolt the market.

US markets appeared ready to set aside inflation fears -- at least for the time being -- with Wall Street finishing modestly higher as both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq edged to records.

"It took some time, but the Fed has finally acknowledged rising inflationary forces," Louis Navellier, Chairman of Navellier & Associates, said in a note to investors on Wednesday.

"That's no small adjustment, but the market has currently bought into the 'transitory inflation' narrative -- until the key June inflation data rolls in next week."

The strong overnight lead from Wall Street provided some boost in Asia but Tokyo was down Thursday morning with possible gloom on the horizon as the Japanese government debated further Covid-19 lockdowns to fight a surge in infections.

Seoul was higher, as was Sydney where investors did not seem affected by news that the lockdown in Australia's biggest city could be extended.

Wellington and Singapore were also down.

AFP/APP