TOKYO, March 29 — Asian shares posted narrow gains today on revived hopes of progress in US-China trade talks, while global bond yields moved higher after a prolonged slide on worries about the economic outlook.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan edged up 0.1 per cent while Japan’s Nikkei rose 1.0 per cent.
The S&P 500 yesterday gained 0.36 per cent and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.34 per cent.
Despite recent market turbulence, the S&P 500 has gained 12.3 per cent so far this quarter, which would mark its best quarterly performance since 2009 if sustained.
The mood was brightened after US officials said China has made proposals in trade talks with the United States on a range of issues that go further than it has before, including on forced technology transfer.
The 10-year US bond yield edged up to 2.391 per cent from a 15-month low of 2.352 per cent touched yesterday after an almost relentless fall since the Fed’s dovish tone last week had investors more worried about the economic outlook.
Investors have been on heightened alert since the yield on the 10-year note fell below the three-month US Treasury yield last Friday, an inversion of the yield curve that is widely seen as an indicator of a recession.
Data published yesterday showed US economic growth was slower than initially thought in the fourth quarter, with GDP growth revised down to 2.2 per cent from an earlier reading of 2.6 per cent.
“The economy is softening and will soften for now. But whether the US is entering a recession is still debatable,” said Mutsumi Kagawa, chief global strategist at Rakuten Securities.
“Lower bond yields will support the economy while (US President Donald) Trump is likely to take steps to support the economy as he seeks re-election. The economy could pick up later this year,” he said.
In the currency market, the euro stood at US$1.1233 (RM4.58) after having slid to a three-week low of US$1.1214 as speculation grew that the European Central Bank will introduce a tiered deposit rate.
The yen was steadier at 110.64 to the dollar, off Monday’s 1-1/2 month high of 109.70.
In a sign of simmering concerns about political and economic uncertainties, the Swiss franc has been well-bid, hitting a 20-month high of 1.11665 to the euro.
The Turkish lira licked its wounds after a 4 per cent plunge yesterday. President Tayyip Erdogan blamed the currency’s weakness on attacks by the West ahead of nationwide local elections on Sunday.
Another severe move was seen in palladium, which dropped 6.6 per cent yesterday and has lost one-sixth of its value from last week’s peak on concerns that an economic slowdown could dent demand.
The British pound dropped to US$1.3050 as the prospect of a swift agreement on Brexit faded with the British parliament yet again failing to agree on a way forward.
Oil futures were quickly recovering from the damage caused by Trump’s call for OPEC to boost crude output in an effort to lower prices.
US crude futures traded at US$59.54 per barrel, up 0.4 per cent on the day and recovering from yesterday’s low of US$58.20. — Reuters
