ASIA STOCKS: US Tariffs Hit India as Major Markets Mixed Today
Analysts and fund managers in China are warning investors about potential short-term volatility in high-flying AI shares as some investors move away from broad index funds and into sector-specific ETFs, according to a report by China Securities Journal. The FT reported that one fabrication plant dedicated to producing Huawei’s AI processors in China is due to start production as soon as the end of the year, while another two are to launch next year and likely to double production output. Japanese stocks rose as sentiment improved after Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway raised its stake in Mitsubishi Corp. and as investors looked past Nvidia’s tepid earnings to focus on value shares.
It was generally a mixed day in Asia with the JCI and KOSPI leading, whilst the HSI and the NIFTY fell. The NIFTY is dragged down further by the doubling of US tariffs on Indian goods coming into effect overnight.
- China's major bourses were mixed with the Hang Seng down -0.66% along with Shenzhen down -0.14% whilst the CSI 300 the outperformer up +0.69% and Shanghai a mere +0.07%.
- Taiwan's TAIEX is lower by -0.61% as foreign flows turn negative.
- The NIKKEI is up for a second day straight by +0.52% as the returns for the week turn positive.
- The KOSPI is one of the best performers of the major bourses up +0.70% after yesterday's modest gains and the BOK on hold.
- In Malaysia, the FTSE Malay KLCI is up +0.26%, after finishing with gains of +0.40% yesterday.
- The Jakarta Composite is hitting new highs of 7,995 as it posts gains of +0.75% today.
- The NIFTY 50 fininshed lower by -1.02% yesterday on tariff news and is down in the morning trade by -0.43%
Want to read more?
Find more articles and bullets on these widgets:
Historical bullets
FOREX: Asia FX Wrap - The USD Correction Could Have More To Go
The BBDXY has had a range of 1207.45 - 1208.74 in the Asia-Pac session, it is currently trading around 1208, +0.05%. The USD’s slide lower finally stalled at the back end of last week and some profit-taking was seen. Yesterday's US-EU trade deal was seen as a big loss for the European Union and this has provided the USD bounce with further tailwinds. There is lots of event risk coming up this week and we are heading into month-end so some caution is warranted, this could potentially see some more paring back of USD shorts. Today is corporate month-end and this could also add to some short-term USD demand putting further pressure on the shorts.
- EUR/USD - Asian range 1.1575 - 1.1599, Asia is currently trading 1.1580. The pair saw some heavy selling putting in a top towards 1.1800 for now. The price looked a little stretched in the short term, and with the USD making a recovery the EUR is set for a correction of sorts. First support around 1.1550 then the more important 1.1350/1.1450 area where I would expect demand first up.
- GBP/USD - Asian range 1.3337 - 1.3362, Asia is currently dealing around 1.3340. This pair looks like it is now breaking lower indicating a deeper correction. Support seen now back towards 1.3100/1.3200 and look for supply now on bounces back towards 1.3500.
- USD/CNH - Asian range 7.1775 - 7.1839, the USD/CNY fix printed 7.1511, Asia is currently dealing around 7.1800. Sellers should be around on bounces while price holds below the 7.2000 area and the PBOC manages the fix lower. Above 7.2000 and we could see a test of the USD Shorts.
- Cross asset : SPX +0.15%, Gold $3311, US 10-Year 4.40%, BBDXY 1208, Crude oil $66.59
- Data/Events : Spain GDP & Retail Sales, EZ ECB 1&3 Year CPI Expectations, France Total Jobseekers
Fig 1: EUR/USD Spot 120min Chart
Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg Finance L.P
BUND TECHS: (U5) Candle Patterns Highlight A Potential Reversal
- RES 4: 131.33 High Jun 20
- RES 3: 130.85 61.8% retracement of the Jun 13 - Jul 14 bear leg
- RES 2: 130.17/76 50-day EMA / High Jul 22
- RES 1: 129.95 20-day EMA
- PRICE: 129.74 @ 05:30 BST Jul 29
- SUP 1: 128.84 Low Jul 25 and the bear trigger
- SUP 2: 128.40 Low Apr 9
- SUP 3: 128.19 Low Mar 27 (cont)
- SUP 4: 127.83 76.4% retracement of the Mar 11 - Apr 7 bull leg (cont)
Bund futures have recovered from last Friday’s 128.84 low. Friday’s activity resulted in a test of the base of a 3.5-month range at the 129.00 handle. This key support remains intact for now. A hammer candle formation on Jul 25 followed by a bullish engulfing candle yesterday signals a potential reversal of the recent downtrend.Initial resistance to watch is 129.95, the 20-day EMA. A break of the Jul 25 low is required to confirm a resumption of the bear trend.
BONDS: NZGBS: Closed At Bests But Only Modestly Richer
NZGBs closed at session bests, 2bps richer across benchmarks.
- The NZ-US 10-year yield differential finished 3bps tighter at +15bps.
- Swap rates closed 2bps lower.
- RBNZ dated OIS pricing closed little changed across meetings. 21bps of easing is priced for August, with a cumulative 35bps by November 2025.
- The local calendar will feature the release of ANZ business confidence for July tomorrow. It continues to point to a gradual recovery in the economy. Cost and price components remain elevated, and inflation expectations are at 2.7% off their low.
- ANZ July consumer confidence is out on Friday. It rose sharply in June to 98.8, the highest this year, but still off December's 100.2. Rate cuts, which take time to be reflected in mortgage payments, have helped improve households' financial situations and reduced the time to buy component.
- June building permits will also be printed on Friday. They rose 10.4% m/m in May, and indicators suggest that the construction sector is recovering.
- On Thursday, the NZ Treasury plans to sell NZ$275mn of the 4.50% May-30 bond and NZ$175mn of the 4.25% May-34 bond.
