Headline indexes of the Asia Pacific share market closed higher on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, as appetite for risk assets improved on the back of better than expected China trade data for March and record high finish of Wall Street overnight.
Official data from China showed nation's recorded a mild trade deficit of $884 million in March as a busting 14.1% year on year surge in imports eclipsed export growth of 10%. China's General Administration of Customs data showed country's China posted a trade deficit of $880 million in March compared with a surplus of $ 15.3 billion in February. Imports advanced 14.1% y-o-y to $183.1 billion, a positive sign for its gradual economic recovery. Exports increased 10% to $182.2 billion in March from a year earlier, moderating from a 21.8% jump in February.
US stock market closed at another record high on Tuesday, led by strong gains in tech shares Microsoft and Intel, as investors looked to the start of earnings season and firm economic readings from overseas. Wall Street expects companies to report slim profit growth for the first three months of the year. The Dow rose 59.98 points (0.41%) to 14,673.46. The broad-based S&P 500 jumped 5.54 (0.35%) to 1,568.61, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index added 15.61 (0.48%) to 3,237.86.
Trading volume was, however, relatively muted as investors are awaiting for the release of a transcript of last month's Federal Reserve's FOMC minutes later in the day, which will be closely watched for insight into the Fed's outlook for the U.S. economy, and clues on its thinking about the future of its quantitative easing measures.
In the Asia Pacific region, Tokyo share market closed higher on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, as improved risk sentiments following yen depreciation to four-and-a-half-year low against basket of major currencies after the Bank of Japan marking its first purchase of real estate investment trusts instruments since terminating the asset-buying program last week. The Nikkei Stock Average advanced 95.78 points to end the day at 13,288.13, while broader Topix index grew 19 points to 1121.04.
The Bank of Japan on Tuesday acquired 1.1 billion yen in real estate investment trusts. The central bank had purchased REITs and exchange-traded funds through the program, which the bank's policy-setting board replaced last Thursday with a broader package of easing measures. Tuesday's REIT purchase was the same size as the BOJ's previous two purchases. The bank bought no ETFs this time around. By acquiring such risk assets as REITs and ETFs, the central bank aims to nudge asset prices higher. The BOJ plans to buy 30 billion yen in REITs a year, up 50% from the previous pace.
Japanese yen depreciated to upper 99-level against the dollar and lower 130-level against the euro on Wednesday, following the Bank of Japan's first purchase on Tuesday under new aggressive monetary easing plan announced last week. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in statement that bold monetary easing will reverse persistent deflation in his nation.
More From This Section
Shares of banks, brokerages, and realty companies closed higher in Tokyo. Among big banks, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group added 5% to 655 yen and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group 6.7% to 4,620 yen. Among developers, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc added 0.4% to 524 yen and Tokyu Land Corp 0.9% to 1155 yen. Among brokerages & insurers, Nomura Holdings added 6.2% to 702 yen while Tokio Marine Holdings added 5.4% to 3,090 yen.
Australian shares closed lower, with the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index dropped 8.80 points from prior day to finish at 4968, while broader All Ordinaries index lost 6.50 points to close at 4973.70, as losses in financial, retailer, and consumer goods stocks were more than offsets by gains in resources driven by higher iron ore prices.
Shares of consumer goods and retailers went lower in Sydney after unexpected 5.1% fall in Westpac Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment to 104.9 in April emphasized how fragile consumer confidence has become in the current environment. Supermarket operators Woolworths dropped 1% to A$33.89 and rival Coles-owner Wesfarmers lost 0.9% to A$40.12. Harvey Norman dropped 2.6% to A$2.58, Myer 2.7% to A$3.01, David Jones 1.4% to A$2.84, and Aristocrat 2.1% to A$3.69.
Shares of Billabong stumbled 26.7% to A$0.535 on the back of a cut-price A$287 million takeover proposal from a consortium led by former U.S. boss, Paul Naude. The company resumed trade today after closed since 28 March.
Australian mining companies closed higher on positive response to China's monthly merchandise trade data. BHP Billiton firmed by 1.7% to A$33.68 and Rio Tinto surged 2.7% to A$58.28. Fortescue Metal rallied 3.7% to A$3.98.
New Zealand shares rose as Fletcher Building, Telecom and Contact Energy, the biggest companies on the NZX 50 Index, gained and Restaurant Brands led gains among some retailers. The NZX 50 rose 24.85 points, or 0.6%, to 4420.06, the first gain in three sessions. Within the index, 28 stocks rose, 15 fell and seven were unchanged.
South Korean shares ended higher, with the benchmark KOSPI Composite index up by 0.8% to 1935.58, as investors torn with hopes for the country's central bank to cut interest rates when it meets on Thursday. But the rebound in the Seoul benchmark was limited due to the continuing geopolitical risk. South Korea has raised its surveillance level of North Korea after the reclusive state moved one or more long-range missiles in readiness for a possible launch. North Korea intensified threats of an imminent conflict against the United States and the South on Tuesday, warning foreigners to evacuate South Korea to avoid being dragged into thermonuclear war. North Korea's belligerence has raised concerns in the region about the spreading geopolitical risks.
China market closed volatile trade mostly lower on, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite index up marginal 0.35 point from prior day to finish at 2,226.13, while Shenzhen Composite Index fell 4.36 points to 921.86. Selling pressure mostly dominated in the local market after official data showed nation's recorded a mild trade deficit of $884 million in March as a busting 14.1% year on year surge in imports eclipsed export growth of 10%.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Tuesday that China's surging wages and other costs are showing signs of undermining the competitiveness of the nation's economy, threatening its growth potential. Average inflation-adjusted wages have more than tripled in a decade and non-wage costs for procedures such as hiring and firing have risen since the introduction of a 2008 labor law, the ADB said in a report published yesterday. To prevent further harm to competitiveness, China must ensure that increases in minimum wages don't outpace gains in productivity, which should be fostered through incentives for companies to invest in new technologies, the ADB said. The ADB projected economic growth of 8.2% this year for China, up from 7.8% in 2012, a 13-year low.
Hong Kong market closed modest higher on, as investors chased for risk assets on tracking rally on the Wall Street overnight and rumor that Chinese government will announce measures to combat slowing economic growth. Buying was also supported by better than expected China trade data for March. The benchmark Hang Seng index added 164.22 points or 0.75% from previous session to finish at 22,034.56 on trading turnover of HK$59.34 billion.
Within 50 Hang Seng index blue chips, 35 stocks rose and 12 fell, with 3 stocks remaining steady. China Life jumped 4.2% to HK$20.95, while China Resources Enterprise dipped 3.2% to HK$24.2, making themselves the largest blue-chip winner and loser.
Market heavyweights were mostly higher, with Hutchison added 4.2% to HK$82 and Henderson Land putted on 1.1% to HK$53.7 on news of Chairman's stake buildup. COLI (00688) soared 3% to HK$21.55 after the developer reported that its March property sales amounted to 15 billion yuan. China Mobile edged up 0.1% to HK$82.9 despite Fitch Ratings has downgraded its Long-Term Local-Currency (LC) Issuer Default Rating (IDR) from AA- to A+. HSBC Holding gained 1.2% to HK$81.9.
Asian Development Bank said on Tuesday that growth in Hong Kong is expected to fall short of the 5-year average prior to the global financial crisis but will accelerate to 3.5% in 2013 and 3.8% in 2014, benefiting from expanded trade, robust domestic demand, and increased government support for industry and lower income groups. Inflation is unlikely to moderate substantially during the forecast period. It is expected to fall marginally to 3.9% in 2013 from 4.1% in 2012 as international food prices ease, the bank noted. However, ADB believes that expected wage increases could rekindle inflationary pressure, as could likely food price increases in China, from which Hong Kong imports much of its food.
Indian benchmark indices edged higher, snapping five-day losing streak, as gains in European stocks boosted sentiment. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was provisionally up 168.94 points or 0.93%, up about 220 points from the day's low and off close to 65 points from the day's high. Index heavyweight and cigarette maker ITC edged lower in volatile trade. Another index heavyweight Reliance Industries (RIL) edged higher. IT stocks rose. Bank stocks also gained. The market breadth was negative. Except the BSE FMCG index, all the other sectoral indices on BSE were in the green.
Powered by Capital Market - Live News