Asia Markets Mostly Up As Dealers Brush Off Trump Fear
Umer Jamshaid Published August 24, 2017 | 12:55 PM
Most Asian markets on Thursday brushed off Wall Street's retreat, with analysts playing down Donald Trump's government shutdown threat and the focus turning to a key central bankers' meeting
HONG KONG, , (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Aug, 2017 ) - Most Asian markets on Thursday brushed off Wall Street's retreat, with analysts playing down Donald Trump's government shutdown threat and the focus turning to a key central bankers' meeting.
In a firebrand speech to supporters the embattled US president warned he was ready to shut down federal business to push through his controversial Mexican border wall, while also threatening to tear up a trade agreement with Canada and Mexico.
The outburst fuelled concerns that the nascent administration is struggling to find consensus on Capitol Hill -- even with its own Republican party -- raising questions about Trump's ability to push through promised tax cuts, deregulation and infrastructure spending.
It also led to a warning from Fitch that it would review its US sovereign rating if the government was shut down. Hikaru Sato, senior technical analyst at the investment strategy section of Daiwa Securities, said: "Trump's remarks are likely to keep impacting the markets for now -- at least until Congress resumes." All three main indexes in New York ended in the red.
However, House Speaker Paul Ryan said there would not be any closure of government, while analysts also pointed out that such a crisis was unlikely and Trump was probably bluffing. "It's Congress which will decide on the debt ceiling limit and avoid the shutdown -- not the president," said AxiTrader chief market strategist Greg McKenna.
He was also confident Trump's economic agenda could be pushed through, adding: "It's likely the Congress will need to work out what it wants to do on tax cuts. I'm still expecting some progress there in the months ahead." - Focus on bankers - ==================== Asian markets were mostly in positive territory.
Hong Kong was up 0.4 percent in the afternoon, heading for a third successive gain as traders returned to work after Wednesday's typhoon. Sydney rose 0.
1 percent, Singapore was 0.4 percent higher and Seoul put on 0.4 percent, while there were also gains in Taipei.
However, Tokyo eased 0.4 percent on the back of a stronger yen, while Shanghai closed down 0.5 percent. In early European trading London, Paris and Frankfurt each rose 0.2 percent. Attention is now on the Jackson Hole symposium in Wyoming where the world's top bankers are gathering with US Federal Reserve boss Janet Yellen and European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi.
With the US and eurozone economies both picking up, dealers are hoping for some pointers about the future of monetary policy. The euro has rallied in recent weeks -- hitting a near eight-year high against sterling -- with the ECB expected at some point to start winding in its massive stimulus, while another round of upbeat economic data Wednesday ramped up those expectations.
"The market is paying close attention to the planned speeches by... Yellen and... Draghi for clues and any significant remark as central banks move toward scaling back their easy monetary policies," Mizuho Bank said in a note.
"But now that minutes of the ECB's policy meeting have shown that policymakers have voiced concerns about the euro's strength, many people believe (Draghi) would avoid making significant remarks." - Key figures around 0720 GMT - =============================== Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.4 percent at 19,353.77 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 0.4 percent at 27,518.32 Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.5 percent at 3,271.51 (close) London - FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 7,396.62 Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1796 from $1.1813 at 2030 GMT Pound/euro: DOWN at 1.0841 Euros from 1.0869 euros Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2789 from $1.2801 Dollar/yen: UP at 109.19 Yen from 108.98 yen Oil - West Texas Intermediate: DOWN eight cents at $48.33 per barrel Oil - Brent North Sea: DOWN three cents at $52.54 New York - Dow: DOWN 0.4 percent at 21,812.09 (close)
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From Business
-
Pakistan aims to agree outline of new IMF loan in May - Finance Minister
9 hours ago -
FTO commends FBR's role for prompt resolution of tax payers’ issues
9 hours ago -
BISP embraces E-procurement: launches inaugural tender
11 hours ago -
Business community indebted to Ahsan Zafar for his unprecedented services: Yousuf Rajput
11 hours ago -
China auto sector steps up Europe push with Spain plant
11 hours ago -
Condolence reference held in memory of FBR's officials
12 hours ago
-
Health activists ring alarm bells over 10-stick cigarette pack
12 hours ago -
Karachi receives maiden direct flight of Azerbaijan Airlines from Baku
12 hours ago -
PSX turns bullish, gains 619 points
13 hours ago -
Rupee bounces back; gains 13 paisa against dollar
12 hours ago -
Partners join hands for alternate use of marble, granite slury
12 hours ago -
Tokyo's Nikkei index tumbles 3% in morning trade
15 hours ago