Asian markets mixed as dealers struggle to pick up Wall St rally

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HONG KONG, March 27, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Asian markets were mixed Wednesday,
with a strong lead from Wall Street offset by lingering concerns about the
global economy, while oil prices extended gains after Russia reassured over
its intention to cut output.

Trading remains choppy across the region after a key US gauge raised a red
flag warning of recession, adding to Federal Reserve worries about growth,
uncertainty over Brexit and China’s stuttering economy.

However, while the optimism that has characterised most of 2019 has been
shaken in recent weeks, a weak round of US data was unable to prevent a
rebound in New York Tuesday, with all three main indexes ending higher.

And OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley said the reaction to the
so-called yield curve inversion — which was last seen ahead of the financial
crisis a decade ago — had been “quickly consigned to history”.

He added that “the volte-face in sentiment suggests to me that despite all
the noise, markets are flip-flopping on short-term data as we await the
conclusion of the only real game in town: the US-China trade talks”.

With a lack of clarification on a number of key issues, markets were
fluctuating.

Hong Kong and Shanghai were each 0.3 percent higher, Wellington jumped one
percent, while Jakarta and Singapore were flat.

But Tokyo went into the break 0.6 percent lower, Sydney shed 0.2 percent
and Seoul eased 0.1 percent.

– Oil prices extend gains –

While the mood is unsettled in Asia, regional energy firms have been given
a lift by rallying oil prices after major producer Russia said it was on
track to slash output this month, keeping it on track to fulfilling
commitments to a deal with OPEC.

“Russia is making good on its promise,” Takayuki Nogami, chief economist
at Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp, told Bloomberg News.

“Investors are becoming more confident they can trust Russia’s
relationship with Saudi Arabia, and supply disruptions in Venezuela are
raising concerns the market will tighten further.”

On currency markets the pound was stable as British MPs prepare to vote on
a number of options for the way forward after wresting control of the Brexit
debate from Prime Minister Theresa May.

They will now choose whether to cancel Brexit, hold another referendum,
vote for a deal including a customs union and single market membership, or
leave the EU without a deal, though the government is not bound by law to
implement the decision.

However, May’s twice-rejected divorce plan could be revived after Brexit
hardliner Jacob Rees-Mogg — one of its most vociferous and high-profile
critics said he would back it — while another, Boris Johnson hinted that he
also could.

However, it still lacks the vital support of May’s Northern Irish
coalition partners, who have denounced it, leading to concerns Britain could
be heading for a general election to try to end the stalemate.

– Key figures around 0230 GMT –

Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.6 percent at 21,297.73 (break)

Hong Kong – Hang Seng: UP 0.3 percent at 28,655.82

Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.3 percent at 3,006.26

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3185 from $1.3201 at 2030 GMT

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1256 from $1.1264

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 110.50 yen from 110.55 yen

Oil – West Texas Intermediate: UP seven cents at $60.01 per barrel

Oil – Brent Crude: UP 12 cents to $68.09 per barrel

New York – DOW: UP 0.6 percent to 25,657.73 (close)

London – FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent at 7,196.29 (close)