June 01, 2023 (MLN): Asian markets mostly rose Thursday after the US House passed a bill to avoid a painful default, as traders turn their attention to the Federal Reserve's next policy meeting and China's struggling economy, as APP reported.
After weeks of brinkmanship, Democrats and Republicans came together to push through an agreement to lift the debt ceiling in rare bipartisan cooperation.
Hardline Republicans had warned they would shoot the deal down, saying it did not have enough spending cuts, and some Democrats were also angry at the reductions made.
The bill now goes to the Senate before President Joe Biden can sign it off, allowing the government to borrow more cash to service its mammoth debts. Failure to do so before the cash run out, said to be June 5 — would have resulted in a default that many warned would hammer the global economy and markets.
"Tonight, the House took a critical step forward to prevent a first-ever default and protect our country's hard-earned and historic economic recovery, the only path forward is a bipartisan compromise," stated Biden.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, House Speaker further added, "Passing the Fiscal Responsibility Act is a crucial first step for putting America back on track. It does what is responsible for our children, what is possible in divided government, and what is required by our principles and promises."
China worries linger -Asian investors welcomed the passage in early trade. Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Wellington, and Manila all rose, though Seoul and Taipei struggled.
But while the threat of a default by Washington has receded for now, traders continue to fret.
Focus will now turn to the release of US jobs data on Friday, which will be pored over for an idea about the state of the world's top economy.
Continued strength in the labor market has been a key factor in the Fed's decision to keep hiking rates for more than a year as it tries to rein in inflation.
Data showing an unexpected jump in job openings on Wednesday did little to soothe investor concerns the central bank could lift again later this month.
The figures come after the Fed's preferred gauge of inflation picked up pace in April. Still, suggestions from some officials that they should take a breather from hiking at the next policy meeting provided investors with a little hope.
"Market calls that the Fed is done hiking won't be able to shake off this labor market strength if Friday's (jobs) report confirms this trend," said OANDA's Edward Moya.
"Wage pressures will push inflation higher, which should seal the deal for more Fed rate hikes," he further added.
Also weighing on sentiment is concern about China's economy, which continues to show signs of fragility as the initial rally after the lifting of zero-Covid measures last year fades.
Figures showing the country's vast manufacturing sector contracted further last month were the latest to highlight the big job Beijing faces in kickstarting growth.
But there was some good news in a private survey Thursday suggesting it had expanded slightly.
Copyright Mettis Link News
Posted on: 2023-06-01T10:52:09+05:00
