TOKYO, May 21 — Asian shares stepped back slightly and US stock futures fell today as lingering caution about the long-term impact of the coronavirus outbreak offset some of this week’s enthusiasm over re-opening of economies.
Investors were also looking ahead to a key policy gathering in China that may yield more economic stimulus, while recent data around the world underscored that a sustainable recovery is several months away.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up just 0.04 per cent, having rallied around 3 per cent so far this week. S&P 500 e-mini stock futures fell 0.66 per cent. Broad risk appetite has been checked somewhat by escalating tensions between the United States and China due to President Donald Trump’s criticism of Beijing’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
Australian shares, which have been hampered by concerns about a trade row with China, pulled back slightly from a two-month high.
Japan’s Nikkei stock index slid 0.05 per cent after data showed the country’s exports collapsed in April.
Shares in China fluctuated between gains and losses before the start of the annual parliament meeting tomorrow.
The focus will be on Premier Li Keqiang’s 2020 work report on the opening day of the National People’s Congress (NPC), where he is expected to announce key economic targets and details on fiscal stimulus plans.
Global equities were buoyed this week as governments around the world gradually loosened their coronavirus lockdown restrictions, but many investors remain wary of the outlook as a raft of recent data suggested a full-blown recovery is likely some way off.
“Equities are still in an uptrend, but the pace of the rebound has been a little quick and we are running into resistance,” said Kiyoshi Ishigane, chief fund manager at Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co in Tokyo.
“The (global) services sector has been decimated. The level of unemployed suggests this recovery will take some time.”
On Wall Street, the S&P 500 gained 1.67 per cent yesterday, but the positive mood did not last long in Asia.
US crude ticked up 0.45 per cent to US$33.64 (RM146.17) a barrel, while Brent crude rose 0.64 per cent to US$35.98 per barrel in a sign of easing concerns about a supply glut.
The dollar edged higher to US$1.0964 per euro and rose to US$1.2202 against the British pound.
The greenback also gained against the Australian and New Zealand dollars in a sign that some investors remain averse to risk.
Minutes from the US Federal Reserve’s April meeting released yesterday showed policymakers reaffirmed a pledge to keep interest rates near zero until they are confident the economy is on track to recovery.
The US government auctioned US$20 billion of 20-year debt yesterday for the first time since 1986. The 20-year yield eased slightly to 1.1602 per cent in Asia, while the yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes fell to 0.6639 per cent as traders sought the safety of government debt.
Another US$54 billion of 20-year bonds are expected over the next three months as the US government ramps up spending to fund the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. — Reuters
