ASIA STOCKS: Indonesia Sees Best Inflow Day Since April, Some Outflows Elsewhere
Yesterday saw modest outflows from both South Korean and Taiwan stocks. Both markets still remain positive from a net inflow standpoint over the past 5 trading days, but we are off recent highs for this metric. We did see tech equity outperformance through Tuesday US trade, with the SOX surging 3%, as Fed easing expectations firmed in the aftermath of the CPI print. South Korean equities are tracking modestly higher in the first part of Wednesday trade. Focus will remain on global trends, along with the South Korean government's policy outlook.
- In South East Asia, Indonesia was the standout in terms of positive inflow momentum. Yesterday's +$136mn in net inflows was the best inflow day since mid April of this year. The JCI rallied strongly yesterday, +2.44%, which pushed the index back Oct 2024 levels. There didn't appear a fresh catalyst for this move, but offshore participation in the July rally in the JCI was fairly muted, so some catch up may in play.
- Elsewhere, outflows continued from Malaysia, while Indian outflows were recorded at the start of this year.
Table 1: Asian Markets Net Equity Flows
| Yesterday | Past 5 Trading Days | 2025 To Date | |
| South Korea (USDmn) | -49 | 217 | -4908 |
| Taiwan (USDmn) | -134 | 822 | 4285 |
| India (USDmn)* | -110 | -851 | -12138 |
| Indonesia (USDmn) | 136 | 224 | -3557 |
| Thailand (USDmn)** | 3 | 122 | -1696 |
| Malaysia (USDmn) | -24 | -192 | -3267 |
| Philippines (USDmn) | 4 | 19 | -613 |
| Total (USDmn) | -173 | 361 | -21895 |
| * Data Up To Aug 11 | |||
| ** Data Up To Aug 8 |
Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P./MNI
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JGBS: 10Y Leads Market Cheaper, Machine Orders Slightly Above Est.
In Tokyo morning trade, JGB futures are weaker, -32 compared to settlement levels.
- Japan May machine orders were slightly above market forecasts in m/m terms. We printed at -0.6%m/m, versus the -1.5% forecast. The April fall of -9.1% was unrevised. In y/y terms, we were slightly below forecasts, printing 4.4%, versus 5.2% expected, while 6.6% was the May outcome.
- Cash US tsys have extended Friday’s bear-steepener in today’s Asia-Pac session, with yields flat to 2bps higher.
- Cash JGBs are flat to 3bps cheaper across benchmarks, with the 10-year leading. The benchmark 10-year yield is 2.5bps higher at 1.547% versus the cycle high of 1.596%.
- (Bloomberg) "JGBs can’t expect much help from the calendar this week with auctions light and macro risks high, so the path of least resistance is steeper. Along with the read across from a widening Treasuries curve is the threat of Japan’s ruling LDP losing its majority in Sunday’s upper house elections. That’s a warning for the nation’s fiscal trajectory, already one of the ugliest among developed markets."
- Swap rates are little changed. Swap spreads are mostly tighter.
US STOCKS: S&P Pauses Ahead Of 6300, New Tariffs See Futures Open Lower In Asia
The ESU5 Friday night range was 6276.75 - 6312.75, Asia is currently trading around 6276. The September contract traded sideways on Friday just off its all-time highs. This morning has seen US futures open under pressure with Trump issuing fresh 30% tariffs on Europe and Mexico starting Aug. 1, ESU5 -0.40%, NQU5 -0.40%. The market has most recently been able to look through these tariffs, is this just another dip to be added to or will their accumulation finally tell ?
- Daily Chartbook on X: "While the rally has surprised many investors (including us), risk sentiment indicators remain broadly neutral, which suggests that many investors haven't participated in the rally. - TS Lombard”
- Lance Roberts on X: “The markets are very complacent and expectations are high for a continued bull run. However, one thing to consider is that we are moving into the seasonally strong period for volatility." See Graph Below.
- (Bloomberg) - “Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the resurgence of tariff risk this week is how markets ignored it. The dollar climbed, high-yield spreads widened a measly 11 bps in the first four days of the week, and the S&P 500 notched up yet another record high as the VIX basically yawned.”
- “Earnings season starts again with the focus on the big banks. Volatility over the last quarter will have helped trading desks across the street, however investment banking revenues may be impacted by the slower pace of dealmaking.” - BBG
- Short-term this is starting to look a little overdone but the market clearly disagrees for now and sees the potential for a melt-up. First support is back towards the 6100 area.
Fig 1: VIX S&P Seasonality
Source: MNI/@LanceRoberts/EquityClock
JAPAN DATA: Core Machine Orders Y/Y Slows, But Still Pointing To Resilient Capex
Japan May machine orders were slightly above market forecasts in m/m terms. We printed at -0.6%m/m, versus the -1.5% forecast. The April fall of -9.1% was unrevised. In y/y terms we were slightly below forecasts, printing 4.4%, versus 5.2% expected, while 6.6% was the May outcome.
- The chart below plots core machine orders, in y/y terms, against Japan quarterly capex (also in y/y terms). It implies some softer Capex momentum risks all else equal, but still positive growth.
- Looking at the detail, manufacturing orders fell by 1.8%m/m (after a 0.6% dip in April). Non-manufacturing surged by 30.4%m/m though, to provide some offset.
Fig 1: Japan Core Machine Orders & Capex (Y/Y)
Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P./MNI
