Asian stocks, particularly Chinese markets, may find some relief after Wall Street's resilience in the face of rising bond yields, though economic data from China remains underwhelming and foreign investors continue to sell Chinese stocks.
Asian market sentiment is expected to be cautious and nervous due to the strength of the U.S. dollar, rising bond yields, tightening financial conditions, and concerns over China's economy.
Asian markets are expected to follow the global trend of weakness in stocks, a buoyant dollar, elevated bond yields, and souring investor sentiment, with no major catalysts to change the current market condition.
The Chinese bond market is experiencing a significant shift due to concerns over China's economic growth prospects, including a bursting property bubble and lack of government stimulus, leading to potential capital flight and pressure on the yuan, which could result in increased selling of US Treasuries by Chinese banks and a rethink of global growth expectations.
The recent spike in U.S. bond yields is not driven by inflation expectations but by economic resilience and high bond supply, according to bond fund managers, with factors such as the Bank of Japan allowing yields to rise and an increase in the supply of U.S. government bonds playing a larger role.
Japanese and Chinese central banks have significantly reduced their holdings of US Treasury bonds, making it less likely that their interventions in the foreign exchange market would disrupt global markets or strike fear into bond investors.
Despite the inverted yield curve, which traditionally predicts an economic downturn, the US economy has remained strong due to factors such as fiscal and monetary stimulus efforts and a lag time before interest rate hikes impact the economy, but some bond market experts believe the yield curve will eventually prove to be a good indicator for the market and the economy.
Stock investors are optimistic and focused on the potential positives, while bond investors are more concerned about potential negatives; however, when the stock and bond markets differ, the bond market is typically more accurate in predicting the state of the economy according to Interactive Brokers Chief Strategist Steve Sosnick.
Asian markets will be influenced by economic indicators, policy steps, and diplomatic signals from China, as well as reacting to the Jackson Hole speeches, purchasing managers index reports, GDP data, and inflation figures throughout the week, with investors desperate for signs of economic improvement as China's industrial profits continue to slump and authorities take measures to stimulate the capital market.
Global investors are skeptical of China's ability to stabilize its financial markets, with many predicting that economic pressures will cause the offshore exchange rate of the yuan to reach record lows.
China's economic slowdown is causing alarm worldwide, with countries experiencing a slump in trade, falling commodity prices, and a decrease in Chinese demand for goods and services, while global investors are pulling billions of dollars from China's stock markets and cutting their targets for Chinese equities.
World markets remain buoyant despite the increasing possibility of another U.S. interest rate hike and the focus on U.S. employment, with China's stock markets extending their rally and bond markets stabilizing.
Despite the appearance of a "Goldilocks" economy, with falling inflation and strong economic growth, rising yields on American government bonds are posing a threat to financial stability, particularly in the commercial property market, where owners may face financial distress due to a combination of rising interest rates and remote work practices. This situation could also impact other sectors and lenders exposed to commercial real estate.
Investors hold onto their risk-on hats as US job openings data drops, increasing the likelihood of a Fed pause on rates, and Asian equity markets rise in anticipation of the Federal Reserve's monetary tightening coming to an end.
UBS reports higher than expected profits, job creation in the US slows, and markets rally on weaker economic data and hope for a pause in interest rate hikes. China's factory activity shrinks but at a slower pace, while retail sales increase. There are opportunities for investors in other Asian markets.
China's economy risks falling into a vicious cycle of debt and deflation, but economist Shang-Jin Wei suggests that launching an aggressive bond-buying campaign and allowing the yuan to lose value may be necessary to avoid this trap.
U.S. stock investors are closely watching next week's inflation data, as it could determine the future of the current equity rally, which has been fluctuating recently due to concerns over the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes and inflationary pressures.
Bond traders are anticipating that the Federal Reserve will continue with interest-rate hikes, and next week's consumer-price index report will provide further insight on how much more tightening may be required to control inflation.
Chinese property stocks and Japanese government bonds set the tone for global markets as the Hang Seng property index dropped to a fresh September low before rebounding on news that Country Garden won creditor support to delay onshore bond payments, while the Bank of Japan's comments about potential stimulus exit in 2023 pushed the local bond market, and the week ahead is marked by important policy meetings by the Bank of England, the Federal Reserve, and the ECB.
Asian markets are expected to be on the defensive due to sagging stocks and rising oil prices, as investors await U.S. inflation figures that will impact the Fed's rate decision; China's real estate sector is seen as the most likely source of a global systemic credit event.
A retreat of funds from Chinese stocks and bonds is diminishing China's global market influence and accelerating its decoupling from the rest of the world, due to economic concerns, tensions with the West, and a property market crisis.
China is expected to maintain its benchmark lending rates as oil prices rise and market sentiment is affected; meanwhile, the Federal Reserve's policy meeting, Japan's trade data, and the United Nations General Assembly will also influence Asian markets.
High-yield bonds outperforming relative to corporate bonds suggests a risk-on environment for stocks, according to a bullish signal in the bond market.
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