HONG KONG, Dec 10, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Asian markets sank Monday as investors
juggle a number of negative issues that have fuelled worries about the global
outlook.
The China-US trade row, the Huawei crisis, signs of weakness in the
Chinese and US economies, and Brexit are among the key matters depressing
equities, though there was some upbeat news in OPEC’s decision to slash crude
production.
On Sunday, China summoned the US ambassador to protest at the arrest of
top Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Canada last week over allegations of
fraud linked to the breaking of Iran sanctions.
An angry China has demanded Washington drop its extradition request, as
investors fret that the arrest could throw a spanner in the works of a
fragile trade war truce between Beijing and Washington.
“Huawei… will likely remain in the headlines for some time as China
continues to pressure both Canada and US to withdraw charges,” said Stephen
Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trade at OANDA.
“It’s more than apparent that US-China tensions are well beyond trade. And
when combined with the fact ‘tariffs-limbo’ is likely to extend well into
2019, uncertainty is expected to remain high, and could still explode into a
full-blown trade war.”
Still, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said he did not expect
the arrest to disrupt the talks.
Lighthizer, the man leading trade negotiations with China, also said he
did not expect to see an extension past the March 1 deadline for a deal
between the world’s top two economies.
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed this month to a 90-day ceasefire in the
multi-billion-dollar tariffs row that will allow officials to find a
resolution. A threatened hike in levies on Chinese imports will be imposed if
there is no agreement is reached.
Equity markets, which have been buffeted by the trade row this year — and
were hammered by the arrest last week — were down on Monday, tracking heavy
losses in New York.
– Weak data –
Shanghai fell 0.7 percent, Hong Kong shed 1.7 percent and Tokyo lost 2.3
percent by the break. Sydney shed two percent, Singapore gave up 1.3 percent
and Seoul gave up 1.1 percent. There were also losses for Manila, Taipei and
Wellington.
Adding to investor unease was Chinese data showing growth in exports and
imports both slowed in November while factory inflation slowed — indicating
demand remains weak. Also, the trade surplus with the US — a key point of
irritation for Trump — ballooned to a record last month despite the
imposition of tariffs.
“Although the resumption of trade negotiations between China and the US
may reduce the risk of further escalation of trade friction, China’s domestic
and external demand are under downward pressure,” said China International
Capital Corporation economist Liu Liu.
That came after the US on Friday said job creation slowed and came in a
lot lower than expected, while the International Monetary Fund’s top
economist warned the world’s top economy would see growth slow next year.
“Uncertainty about US-China relations couple with concerns about the
health of the US economy is hurting risk assets across the board,” said
Innes. “Indeed, market sentiment remains fragile, and the US November
employment report didn’t precisely provide a rosy outlook for the health of
the US economy.”
Oil prices were boosted after OPEC and other key producers including
Russia agreed at the weekend to cut output by 1.2 million barrels a day.
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said the agreement “should help
the market reach a balance” after prices plunged by about a third from their
four-year highs seen at the start of October
The news lifted energy firms, with PetroChina jumping one percent in Hong
Kong and Inpex 0.8 percent higher in Tokyo.
Attention is now on Tuesday’s key vote in Westminster, where Prime
Minister Theresa May is struggling to win over MPs to back her Brexit
agreement. There is talk that if she fails, her government will be toppled
and the country could see another general election, fuelling further
uncertainty.
The pound is stuck around 17-month lows against the dollar and could
suffer further losses if May loses the vote.
– Key figures around 0230 GMT –
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 2.3 percent at 21,191.23 (break)
Hong Kong – Hang Seng: DOWN 1.7 percent at 25,634.80
Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.7 percent at 2,586.67
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1416 from $1.1406 at 2200 GMT Friday
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 112.43 yen from 112.68 yen
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2733 from $1.2742
Oil – West Texas Intermediate DOWN nine cents at $52.52 per barrel
Oil – Brent Crude: UP 36 cents at $62.03 per barrel
New York – Dow Jones: DOWN 2.2 percent at 24,388.95 (close)
London – FTSE 100: UP 1.1 percent at 6,778.11 (close)