Asian equities drop amid rising geopolitical risks in Middle East

October 20, 2023 (MLN): Asian stocks fell as volatility gripped global markets from an escalation in tensions in the Middle East, driving oil and gold to further advances, Bloomberg reported.

MSCI’s Asia Pacific Index - a gauge for benchmarks in the region - lost 0.2% and is set for its biggest weekly drop in two months.

China stocks pared earlier losses as policymakers pumped a record amount of short-term cash into its financial system while contracts for US equities declined.

Treasuries rose led by gains in 10-year debt, as Federal Reserve Chairman Powell suggested the US central bank is inclined to hold interest rates steady again at its next meeting, while it watches key growth data. The dollar edged higher.

Oil traded over the $90-a-barrel mark and gold approached the $2,000-an-ounce level following a report US bases in Iraq and Syria were targeted in drone attacks.

Investors were also on edge after an American destroyer in the Red Sea intercepted cruise missiles and drones fired toward Israel by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

“The risk premium in crude has shot up again,” said Vandana Hari, founder of consultancy Vanda Insights, citing the latest incidents including the missiles from Yemen.

“As long as the Israel-Hamas tensions run high, crude will remain susceptible to further spikes on signs of an escalation.”

Currency markets remain on tenterhooks as Japan’s finance minister Shunichi Suzuki said it was important the yen moved stably and in line with fundamentals, just as the currency approached 150 per dollar.

Eyes will also be focused on unscheduled Bank of Japan bond buying operations should the 10-year yield reach 0.85%.

Earlier, markets largely shrugged off Japan’s inflation that slid below 3% for the first time in more than a year.

The return of Treasury buyers came ahead of more speeches from Federal Reserve officials after Powell said it will proceed carefully with rate hikes, while citing evidence that policy isn’t “too tight.”

Swaps trimmed the implied odds of another Fed rate increase to under 50%, and priced a start to cuts in July, compared with September previously.

Elsewhere, China’s injection of extra cash will offer a much-needed boost to maintain the nation’s growth momentum.

This year, the economy has been challenged by a lack of demand and a downturn in the property market.

Earlier this week, the PBOC made the largest liquidity injection since late 2020 with one-year policy loans via the so-called medium-term lending facility.

Still, Morgan Stanley advises against buying the dip in Chinese equities as market sentiment is likely to stay fragile while foreign fund outflow could persist near-term.

Meanwhile, concerns around property sector lingered on with Country Garden Holdings Co. missing dollar bond interest payment.

Copyright Mettis Link News