Cyber Monday Deal: Up to 60% off InvestingProCLAIM SALE

Hong Kong leads Asian stocks lower, oil near 5-month lows

Published 2019-06-12, 11:29 p/m
© Reuters.  Hong Kong leads Asian stocks lower, oil near 5-month lows
EUR/USD
-
USD/JPY
-
US500
-
JP225
-
HK50
-
LCO
-
ESZ24
-
CL
-
NG
-
US10YT=X
-
AU3YT=RR
-
MIAPJ0000PUS
-

* Hong Kong shares down about 1.5% for second day

* Soft oil prices bolster expectations of Fed rate cuts

* Bond yields plunge; Japan at 3-year low, Australia at record

* Asian stock markets: https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4

By Hideyuki Sano

TOKYO, June 13 (Reuters) - Asian shares were led lower on Thursday as the Hong Kong market fell for second consecutive session following a day of massive street protests, while oil prices flirted with five-month lows due to higher U.S. crude inventories and a bleak demand outlook.

Hopes that the United States and China will clinch a deal on the sidelines of a Group of 20 summit meeting in Osaka on June 28-29 have been fading, also hurting sentiment and driving bond yields down.

"There's not even a plan of ministerial-level bilateral meetings ahead of the G20 summit. You can't expect any major agreement," said Hirokazu Kabeya, chief global strategist at Daiwa Securities.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS fell as much as 1%, as Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index .HIS dropped 1.5% following Wednesday's 1.7% fall.

The selling pressure in Hong Kong came after a mass demonstration against legislation that would allow citizens to be extradited to China triggered a mass protest and some of the worst unrest seen in the territory since Britain handed it back to Chinese rule in 1997. Nikkei .N225 lost 0.8% while U.S. stock futures ESc1 lost 0.3% in Asia, following small losses the previous day when the S&P 500 .SPX shed 0.20%.

Oil hovered near five-month lows, pressured by another unexpected rise in U.S. crude stockpiles, as well as the bleaker outlook for demand posed by prospects of a protracted trade war between China and the United States.

Brent crude futures LCOc1 barely moved at $60.06 in early trade after a 3.7% slide on Wednesday to $59.97 a barrel, the international benchmark's lowest close since Jan. 28.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures CLc1 stood at $51.12 per barrel, compared to the previous day's close of $50.72 a barrel, its weakest settlement since Jan. 14.

"It is a bit of mystery that oil prices are so low when global stock prices remain relatively supported. But one thing is certain. Weaker oil prices will curb inflation and boost rate cut expectations," said Daiwa's Kabeya.

Government data showed on Wednesday U.S. consumer prices barely rose in May, with the core annual inflation USCPFY=ECI slowing to 2.0%, compared to a peak of 2.4% last July, adding to the growing expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut in coming months. will be looking to what Fed policymakers will say after its next policy meeting on June 18-19, with Fed Funds rate futures 0#FF: pricing in a 25-basis-point rate cut for the subsequent policy review on July 30-31.

The 10-year U.S. Treasuries yield dipped to 2.103 percent US10YT=RR , near Friday's 2.053 percent, its lowest level since September 2017.

Bond yields fell in Asia. Long-dated Japanese government bond yields hit their lowest levels since August 2016, with 20-year yield JP20YTN=JBTC down 2.5 basis points at 0.220 percent.

In Australia, long known for its high-yield currency, yields fell to record lows, with three-year yield now slipping below 1 percent AU3YT=RR .

In the currency market, the yen gained 0.25% to 108.25 to the dollar JPY= as risk sentiment soured while the Australian dollar dropped 0.2% to $0.6913 AUD=D4 .

The euro stood little changed at $1.1293 EUR= , having taken a hit on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was considering sanctions over Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project and warned Germany against being dependent on Russia for energy. British pound is on the back foot after British lawmakers defeated an attempt led by the opposition Labour Party to try to block a no-deal Brexit by seizing control of the parliamentary agenda from the government. fetched $1.2688 GBP=D4 , not far from this week's low of $1.2653. (Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.