Australia: Shares rebound on Fed Governor's dovish comments

Australian shares rebounded on Tuesday, boosted by materials and healthcare, after Federal Reserve Board Governor Lael Brainard's comments on the US economy strengthened the view that the central bank would leave interest rates unchanged next week.

Ms Brainard said she wanted to see a stronger trend in US consumer spending and evidence of rising inflation before the Fed raises rates, reducing prospects of a near-term interest rate hike.

The dollar was nursing losses against its peers after Brainard reiterated her dovish views.

"The rally that we saw in US trading after those (Brainard's) comments is one of the reasons why we are seeing such a positive performance today across the Asia-Pacific region," said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist with CMC Markets.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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Taiwan: Stocks hit near two-month lows

Taiwan stocks hit their lowest in almost two months on Tuesday in volatile trading, tracking declines in some other regional markets, with a recovery in some heavyweights such as TSMC limiting the falls.

The main Taiex index was down 0.14 per cent at 8934.51 at 0315 GMT. It had dipped to as low as 8,885.55 earlier in the session, an intraday level not seen since July 15.

Taiwan's market sentiment has been cautious, in part prompted by massive foreign selling. The electronics subindex sank 0.3 per cent, while the financials subindex lost 0.7 per cent.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), the world's top contract chip maker and the market's most heavily-weighted share, dipped nearly 1 per cent but recovered later.

The Taiwan dollar firmed NT$0.091 to NT$31.625 per US dollar.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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Singapore dollar forwards drop as traders see MAS policy on hold

The currency market has shifted to signal expectations the Monetary Authority of Singapore will refrain from easing next month, with a measure of the local dollar's potential direction sliding to a four-year low.

Six-month forwards stumbled to minus 15.64 points on Thursday, the least since July 2012, data compiled by Bloomberg show. The rate touched 32.23 points on June 28, days after the UK vote to exit the European Union caused a global financial rout.

Futures contracts show the likelihood for the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates at the Sept 20-21 meeting has gone down to 22 per cent after recent disappointing US economic data.

"The market is not looking at Singapore dollar depreciation at this point because of what's happening in the US," said Irene Cheung, a foreign-exchange strategist at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd in Singapore.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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Seoul: Won edges down on government warnings, stocks flat

The South Korean won eased on Thursday as traders grew cautious about prospects for further gains after the government issued verbal warnings about the market's moves for the second day in a row.

The won was quoted at 1,093.8 as of 0159 GMT, down 0.4 per cent from Wednesday's close of 1,090.0.

Foreign exchange authorities said the won has been more volatile than other Asian currencies and that they are watching the situation very closely.

"Some bargain hunters are coming in at the 1,090 level, bringing additional pressure on the won," said Jeong My Young, a foreign exchange analyst at Samsung Futures.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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Stocks to watch: TEE, Keppel, Marco Polo Marine

THE following listed companies made material announcements before the opening of the Singapore market on Thursday:

TEE International, together with its subsidiaries and associated companies, was awarded new engineering contracts worth about S$95 million from August to September 2016, bringing the group's total outstanding order book to about S$324 million.

Keppel Corp's property arm, Keppel Land, on Wednesday said that it has signed a conditional joint venture agreement with Myanmar conglomerate Shwe Taung Group to develop premium serviced residences and offices in the next phase of Junction City.

Marco Polo Marine on Wednesday said that it has appointed KPMG Services as adviser to the group to conduct an independent review, in view of the upcoming maturity date of its notes on Oct 18.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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Seoul: Won, stocks rise as Federal Reserve's Sept rate hike seems unlikely

The South Korean won and shares rose to their strongest in over two weeks early on Monday as weaker than expected US jobs data reduced speculation on an imminent increase in US interest rates.

The won was quoted at 1,109.3 per US dollar as of 0208 GMT, up 0.7 per cent compared to the previous close of 1,117.2.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) was up 0.8 per cent at 2,055.58 points.

The currency and the stocks were both at their strongest since Aug 19 of this year.
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AIG raises HK$1.49b by selling remaining PICC P&C shares

American International Group has raised about HK$1.49 billion (S$261.34 million) by selling its remaining shares in Chinese insurer PICC Property and Casualty Co Ltd, IFR reported.

AIG sold 111 million shares at HK$13.46 each after marketing the deal at a floor price of HK$13.39. The shares ended Friday at HK$13.46.

AIG bought PICC P&C shares ahead of the Chinese insurers'Hong Kong IPO in 2003 and has been steadily selling down its shares over the past two years.

Including the latest sale, the US insurer has raised about US$2.8 billion, according to Reuters calculations.

AIG did not respond to Reuters' request for comment, while PICC P&C could not be reached.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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Stocks to watch: Vallianz, Jasper, CIT, Nico Steel

THE following companies made material announcements before the opening of Monday's market:

Vallianz Holdings has requested for a halt in the trading of its shares, before the opening of Monday's market, citing "pending release of announcement".

Last week, Vallianz said that certain entities within the group have recently received letters from the interim judicial managers (IJMs) of Swiber Holdings and Swiber Offshore Construction (SOC), requesting payments totalling about US$63.5 million, which the IJMs claim to be funds owed to Swiber and SOC.

Vallianz has declined to make such payments, and said it is awaiting a response from the IJMs, and will make further announcements when appropriate.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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Seoul: Won edges up ahead of US August non-farm payrolls report

The South Korean won inched up early on Friday in cautious trade ahead of the much-awaited August US non-farm payrolls report later in the day - which could give a clearer view on a potential Fed rate hike.

The won was quoted at 1,119.1 as of 0155 GMT, up 0.3 per cent compared with Thursday's close of 1,122.1.

News that a gauge of US national factory activity fell in August for the first time in six months added to the tentative mood.

"The dollar weakened broadly on the weak factory data but cautious investor environment is keeping the won from extending gains," said Jeong My-young, a foreign exchange analyst at Samsung Futures.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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Taiwan: Stocks dip to over one-week low; financial shares drop

Taiwan stocks fell on Thursday, tracking declines in overseas markets, with selling led by heavyweights in the financial sector.

Shares in Mega Financial Holding Co Ltd, which closed down for nine in 10 trading sessions, slipped 1.9 per cent early in the trade, following its chairman's resignation on Wednesday.

Shiu Kuang Si resigned from all his positions at the Taiwanese financial firm after its banking unit was fined last month for breach of anti-money laundering regulations in New York.

As of 0225 GMT, the main Taiex index dropped as much as 0.9 per cent to 8,980.21, to hit the lowest since August 22. The bourse closed down 0.5 per cent in the previous session.

The electronics subindex lost 0.5 per cent, while the financials subindex sank 1.1 per cent.

The Taiwan dollar firmed NT$0.013 to T$31.713 per US dollar.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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Singapore shares open 0.1% up on Thursday

SINGAPORE stocks opened 0.1 per cent higher on Thursday, with the Straits Times Index advancing 2.11 points to 2,822.7 as at 9.01am.

Markets are in wait-and-see mode ahead of US jobs data to be released on Friday night, Asia time.

In Singapore, about 50.7 million shares worth S$90.4 million in total changed hands, which worked out to an average unit price of S$1.78. The field was evenly matched, with as many gainers as losers at 53 each.

The most actively traded counter was Noble, which fell S$0.002 to S$0.117 with 5.8 million shares changing hands.

Other actives included Golden Agri-Resources and Charisma Energy.

Top stocks by value traded were Singtel, DBS, Jardine Matheson, Keppel Corp and OCBC.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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Asia: Markets mostly down but Tokyo soars on weak yen

Tokyo stocks resumed a rally on Wednesday as the yen fell against the dollar on US interest rate talk but most other Asian markets struggled as investors were spooked by the prospects of higher borrowing costs in the world's top economy.

Dollar demand has intensified since Federal Reserve boss Janet Yellen on Friday hinted at a possible hike as data point to continued economic improvement.

Figures showing US consumer confidence at its highest level in almost a year provided further evidence of a brighter outlook.

On Tuesday vice chairman Stanley Fischer told Bloomberg TV that any movement in rates was dependent on data, adding that "employment is very close to full employment".Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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Seoul: Won, stocks tread water; major economies' data awaited

The South Korean won and shares made only small moves early on Wednesday, with many investors staying on the sidelines as views on how soon US interest rates will rise changing often.

The won stood at 1,116.7 as of 0214 GMT, up 0.3 per cent from Tuesday's close of 1,119.9.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) was down 0.3 per cent at 2,034.60 points.

Jung Sung-yoon, a foreign exchange analyst at Hyundai Futures, expects moves could get sharper as economic indicators from major economies including the US and China come out in the near future.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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Singapore shares open 0.2% down on Wednesday

SINGAPORE stocks opened 0.2 per cent lower on Wednesday, with the Straits Times Index losing 5.1 points to 2,823.29 as at 9am.

This came after US stocks fell the night before and the dollar rose amid rate hike worries.

About 50.8 million shares worth S$106.3 million in total changed hands, which worked out to an average unit price of S$2.09 per share.

Gainers outnumbered losers 53 to 47, or about nine up for every eight down.

The most actively traded counter was Noble Group.

Top five stocks by value traded were Singtel, UOB, DBS, OCBC and ComfortDelGro.

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Asia: Most markets slump, Tokyo soars on US rate talk

Japanese stocks rallied on a weaker yen but other Asian markets retreated Monday after Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen hinted at a US interest rate hike by the end of the year.

In a much-anticipated speech Friday Yellen said a pick-up in the world's top economy and an improvement in the jobs market meant "the case for an increase in the federal funds rate has strengthened in recent months".

While there is speculation rates could rise as early as next month, most experts had said that is unlikely and that December or February would be safer bets.

Yellen did not give a timeframe during her speech at the annual Jackson Hole symposium of global central bankers, but Fed vice chairman Stanley Fischer later said September was a possibility.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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Australia: Shares at 1-month low on US rate rise concerns

Australian stocks fell for a third straight session on Monday to their lowest in over a month as sentiment was dampened by comments from top US Fed officials raising the possibility of an interest rate hike this year.

The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 0.4 per cent as of 0232 GMT. The benchmark lost 0.5 per cent last Friday.

Fed chair Janet Yellen told a global monetary policy conference last Friday that the case for a rate increase had grown stronger, but she did not indicate when the Fed might hike rates.

However, Fed vice chair Stanley Fischer suggested a move could come at the central bank's September policy meeting if the economy was doing well.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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Hong Kong, Shanghai: Stocks open down after Yellen rate hike hint

Shares fell in the first few minutes of trade in Hong Kong Monday after Federal Reserve boss Janet Yellen suggested US interest rates could be lifted before the end of the year.

The Hang Seng Index slipped 0.16 per cent, or 36.28 points, to 22,873.26.

And the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index edged down 0.06 per cent, or 1.85 points, to 3,068.46, while the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, slipped 0.07 per cent, or 1.41 points, to 2,021.68.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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Taiwan: Stocks fall on weaker overseas markets, technical selling in TSMC

Taiwan stocks fell on Monday tracking weakness in overseas markets and on technical selling in heavyweight chipmaker TSMC.

Most Asian shares slipped in early trade on Monday after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen indicated a possible rate hike in the US later this year.

As of 0244 GMT, the main TAIEX index fell 0.7 per cent to 9,070.84, after closing up 0.2 per cent in the previous session.

The electronics subindex fell 0.7 per cent, but the financials subindex gained 0.1 per cent.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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Seoul: Won, stocks fall on growing chance of Fed rate hike soon

The South Korean won plunged more than 1 per cent against the dollar early on Monday after Janet Yellen's comments on Friday raised the chance the Federal Reserve may raise US interest rates soon, and even twice, by year-end.

The won was quoted at 1,124.1 as of 0214 GMT, down 0.9 per cent from the previous close of 1,113.7. It reached as low as 1,128.5, a one-week intraday low.

Ms Yellen suggested that the US economy has strengthened enough for a rate hike while Fed's No 2 policymaker Stanley Fischer hinted on more than one policy tightening before year end.

"The US August job report due this coming Friday will be closely watched by investors for whether a rate hike as early as next month will actually be possible," said Park Sung-woo, a foreign exchange analyst at NH Futures.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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US dollar dips as dealers hope for US rate policy clues

The US dollar dipped Friday as dealers focus on a speech by Federal Reserve boss Janet Yellen later in the day they hope will supply fresh clues about the central bank's outlook for the US economy and monetary policy plans.

Markets hope Ms Yellen will provide some guidance in her remarks to the annual global bankers' symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming later Friday.

Her speech comes as leading central banks have proven unable to convincingly reverse a broad economic slump, despite years of ultra low borrowing costs and stimulus.

Divergent views from Fed officials in recent weeks have kept markets guessing about the bank's intentions.Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg

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