Talking Points
- Asian stocks finished mixed after a lacklustre session
- The US Dollar took an early hit on US President Donald Trump’s threat to shut down the government over his desire for a Mexican border Wall
- Japanese manufacturing was again shown to be in good health
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Asian stocks traded mixed but narrowly on Wednesday, failing to follow through on early gains. The US Dollar slipped a little following President Donald Trump’s threat to force a Federal government shutdown over the funding of a borer wall with Mexico, which he wants, but it made back most of its losses as the session wore on.
Australian stocks shed 0.3%, with Seoul’s Kospi off 0.1% into the close. Japan’s Nikkei 225 finished up 0.26%, with tech gains mirroring to some extent those on Wall Street the day before. The day was notable for a lack of Asia/Pacific economic data. Of what there was the most important figure was Japan’s manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index for August. This showed the sector expanding at its best clip since May. Trading in Hong Kong stocks was suspended as severe typhoon Kato lashed the territory.
Currency markets were calm as investors looked towards the Jackson Hole central banking symposium which is coming up at the end of the week. The US Dollar index tracks the currency’s fortunes against its big six trading rivals and was essentially unmoved on the day as Asian trading wound down.
Crude oil prices ticked lower on news of falling US inventories and as a key Libyan oilfield which had been shut down came gradually back on stream. Gold prices were steady having slipped a little the session before in the face of a higher US Dollar.
In terms of scheduled economic news the rest of the session will offer PMI numbers from around Europe and the US, along with yet more oil inventory data. US new-home sales numbers are also due.
--- Written by David Cottle, DailyFX Research
Contact and follow David on Twitter: @DavidCottleFX
