Asia markets cautious but China growth figures upbeat

China’s economy grew 6.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2017, government data showed, marking the second quarterly improvement since the final three months of 2014

AFP, HONG KONG:  Asian markets moved cautiously yesterday even as Chinese economic growth data beat expectations, with geopolitical concerns weighing on sentiment.
China’s economy grew 6.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2017, government data showed, marking the second quarterly improvement since the final three months of 2014.
The reading was better than the median analyst expectation of 6.8 per cent in an AFP poll, and up on the fourth quarter figure.
But tensions on the Korean peninsula continued to affect markets Monday as US Vice President Mike Pence warned North Korea not to test President Trump’s resolve during a visit to the heavily militarised border between the two Koreas.
Relations between Pyongyang and Washington have reached new lows in recent weeks as a series of North Korean weapons tests have prompted warnings from Trump’s administration.
Trump last week ordered a naval strike group led by the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier to the region, though the vessels remain a long way from the peninsula.
Shanghai fell 0.7 percent, Singapore dropped 0.8 per cent while Manila and Jakarta were also down.
“China’s financial regulation coupled with geopolitical risks surrounding North Korea have heightened risk aversion and put pressure on stocks,” Ken Chen, an analyst at KGI Securities Co. in Shanghai, told Bloomberg News.
But he added that “the downside should be limited as first-quarter figures showed economic fundamentals remained sound.”
Monday’s figures also showed China’s industrial output growth rose to 7.6 per cent year-on-year in March, beating a Bloomberg estimate of 6.3.
The readings follow data showing robust foreign trade and a further expansion in factory activity driven by a pickup in production and demand last month.
Elsewhere, Hong Kong and Sydney were closed for a holiday, but Seoul rose 0.5 percent.
Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index—which closed at a 2017 low on Friday—also snapped a four day losing streak to gain 0.1 percent.
Shoichiro Yamauchi, an equity market strategist at Nomura Securities, told Bloomberg that bargain buying helped drag the Japanese market out of the red.
“Japanese shares already declined over the possibility of military action over North Korea last week, and they’re fairly cheap,” Yamauchi said.
“Technical indicators are signalling shares are in oversold territory, and some investors appear to be short-covering.”
Jittery traders nonetheless continued to push into the yen, which is seen as a safe investment in times of turmoil or uncertainty.

Asia markets cautious but China growth figures upbeat

Chinas economy grew 6.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2017, government data showed, marking the second quarterly improvement since the final three months of 2014

AFP, HONG KONG: Asian markets moved cautiously yesterday even as Chinese economic growth data beat expectations, with geopolitical concerns weighing on sentiment. Chinas economy grew 6.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2017, government data showed, marking the second quarterly improvement since the final three months of 2014. The reading was better than the median analyst expectation of 6.8 per cent in an AFP poll, and up on the fourth quarter figure. But tensions on the Korean peninsula continued to affect markets Monday as US Vice President Mike Pence warned North Korea not to test President Trumps resolve during a visit to the heavily militarised border between the two Koreas. Relations between Pyongyang and Washington have reached new lows in recent weeks as a series of North Korean weapons tests have prompted warnings from Trumps administration. Trump last week ordered a naval strike group led by the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier to the region, though the vessels remain a long way from the peninsula. Shanghai fell 0.7 percent, Singapore dropped 0.8 per cent while Manila and Jakarta were also down. Chinas financial regulation coupled with geopolitical risks surrounding North Korea have heightened risk aversion and put pressure on stocks, Ken Chen, an analyst at KGI Securities Co. in Shanghai, told Bloomberg News. But he added that the downside should be limited as first-quarter figures showed economic fundamentals remained sound. Mondays figures also showed Chinas industrial output growth rose to 7.6 per cent year-on-year in March, beating a Bloomberg estimate of 6.3. The readings follow data showing robust foreign trade and a further expansion in factory activity driven by a pickup in production and demand last month. Elsewhere, Hong Kong and Sydney were closed for a holiday, but Seoul rose 0.5 percent. Tokyos benchmark Nikkei 225 indexwhich closed at a 2017 low on Fridayalso snapped a four day losing streak to gain 0.1 percent. Shoichiro Yamauchi, an equity market strategist at Nomura Securities, told Bloomberg that bargain buying helped drag the Japanese market out of the red. Japanese shares already declined over the possibility of military action over North Korea last week, and theyre fairly cheap, Yamauchi said. Technical indicators are signalling shares are in oversold territory, and some investors appear to be short-covering. Jittery traders nonetheless continued to push into the yen, which is seen as a safe investment in times of turmoil or uncertainty.