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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Seoul: Won, stocks recover as Fed Sept hike talk ebbs

The South Korean won and shares rebounded early on Tuesday after US Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard's comments made it more likely that the Fed will stand pat in September.

The won stood at 1,109.5 as of 0203 GMT, up 0.4 per cent compared with Monday's close of 1,113.5.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) was up 0.6 per cent at 2,003.54 points.

"If the Fed ends up keeping its rates unchanged for September, the won will be kept at its current level which is at around 1,100," said June Park, a foreign exchange analyst at Daishin Economic Research Institute.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 higher

HONG KONG Shares rallied in Hong Kong Tuesday morning after a top Federal Reserve official tempered comments from two colleagues on the possibility of a US rate hike this month.

The Hang Seng Index added 1.17 per cent, or 273.53 points, to 23,564.13.

And the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index added 0.10 per cent, or 3.05 points, to 3,025.03 while the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, gained 0.54 per cent, or 10.71 points, to 1,987.77.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 1.37% lower on Tuesday

A STEEP Wall Street rebound overnight on dovish Federal Reserve comments failed to bring cheer to the Singapore stock market when it started trading on Tuesday, after a one-day public holiday.

At 9.02am, the benchmark Straits Times Index was down 39.47 points or 1.37 per cent at 2,833.86.

Some 92.4 million shares worth S$99.6 million were traded, with losers outpacing gainers 151 to 34.

Elsewhere in Asia, stocks joined the US equity rebound in the morning trading on the back of a continued dovish tone from Fed policymaker Lael Brainard in her approach to US monetary policy. This followed a sell-off on Monday stoked by rising bond yields and talk that US rates might rise as early as next week.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: GLP, CWT, Vard, ISDN, AusGroup

STOCKS to watch on Tuesday include:
Global Logistic Properties (GLP): The second-largest owner of US industrial real estate agreed to buy US$1.1 billion of warehouses from Hillwood Development Co. It expects to complete a US$700 million deal for fully leased properties in December, the company said. On Monday, GLP also said it will develop a 27,000-square-metre modern logistics property in Osaka at a development cost of around five billion yen (S$66.8 million).

CWT: The logistics company said a subsidiary under its financial services arm, Straits Financial Group, has been granted the full capital market services licence for trading in futures contracts by the central bank.

This allows the subsidiary, Straits Financial Services Pte Ltd (SFSPL), to offer a full and complete suite of financial and commodity derivatives, including centrally cleared over-the-counter contracts and contracts-for-differences. SFSPL will also be able to expand its customer base beyond the "accredited investors" and "corporate expert investors" category.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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Stocks to watch: Yoma Strategic, Oceanus, Del Monte Pacific

THE following stocks made announcements after Thursday's market close that could affect its trading on Friday:
Yoma Strategic said its subsidiary, Convenience Prosperity Company Ltd (CPCL), has been appointed by J C Bamford Excavators as the exclusive distributor for the Myanmar market. The partnership is important at a time when infrastructure and construction activities are accelerating across the country, said its CEO Melvyn Pun.

Seafood supply chain manager Oceanus Group has signed a binding term sheet with two of three of its key creditors for a proposed debt restructuring, which may greatly reduce its total outstanding debt balance. The total debt balance, including accrued interest, held under the two key creditors, Ocean Wonder International and BW Investment, amounts to S$71.85 million, representing 82.8 per cent of Oceanus's outstanding debts.

Del Monte Pacific narrowed its first quarter loss to US$8.7 million, from US$10.7 million a year ago, on lower operating expenses as a result of a restructuring that started last year. The group's revenue shrank 2.8 per cent to US$465.5 million from the preceding year.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 flat, hover at 14-month highs

Taiwan stocks stayed flat near 14-month highs on Thursday, in line with other overseas markets, with TSMC and other suppliers of Apple Inc remaining little changed following the launch of new iPhones.

As of 0343 GMT, the main Taiex index was up 7 points at 9,266.63, after hitting its highest intraday level in 14 months in the prior session.

The electronics subindex was nearly flat, while the financials subindex gained 0.2 per cent.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), an Apple supplier and the world's biggest contract chip maker, was trading flat.

The Taiwan dollar softened NT$0.043 to NT$31.283 per US dollar.

Asian shares held within one-year peaks on Thursday as Chinese trade data topped forecasts and imports recorded their first annual rise since late 2014.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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Singapore shares open little changed on Thursday

SINGAPORE shares opened almost flat on Thursday, with the Straits Times Index down by 1.61 points or 0.06 per cent to 2,892.04 points as at 9.01 am, after US stocks ended little changed on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 11.98 points or 0.06 per cent to 18,526.14, but the Nasdaq Composite added 8.02 points or 0.15 per cent to a record close.

Trade on Wall Street large caps has been light ahead of the Federal Reserve rate hike decision and the US presidential election in November.

Recent economic data including last Friday's weaker-than-expected jobs report suggest the Federal Reserve could hold off the rate hike for now although expectations are that the tightening may still happen later this year.

Some 46 million shares worth S$69.5 million changed hands, with gainers outnumbering losers 70 to 53.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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Australia shares up, aided by solid GDP data; NZ hits a record

Australian shares rose on Wednesday, tracking Wall Street, while data at home showing the economy last quarter expanded at its fastest annual pace in four years helped buoy sentiment.

The S&P/ASX 200 index was 10.8 points, or 0.2 per cent, higher at 5,424.4 at 0307 GMT.

The benchmark gained as much as 0.5 per cent after the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported gross domestic product (GDP) in April-June rose 3.3 per cent from a year earlier, just short of market forecasts but up from around 2.9 per cent in the previous quarter.

On Tuesday, the benchmark lost 0.3 per cent after the country's central bank held interest rates at a record low as expected, but provided no clues for future easing.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: Stocks hit 1-year high as soft US data quells Fed hike talk

The US dollar took a tumble and Asian stocks rose to one-year highs on Wednesday after surprisingly weak US services sector activity put paid to already slim chances of an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve as early as this month.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.4 per cent, extending its chunky gains of 2.7 per cent over the last two days, to claim a level last seen in July last year.

"When people think there's no immediate rate hike from the Fed, then Asia and emerging markets are the place to go to, as investors seek yields," said Toru Nishihama, senior economist at Dai-ichi Life Research.

Japan's Nikkei slid 0.7 per cent, however, as the yen gained sharply versus the US dollar, putting more pressure on exporters in the world's third-largest economy.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 flat in opening trade

Hong Kong stocks opened flat Wednesday as investors took a breather after four days of gains while a surprisingly weak reading on the US services sector further doused expectations for an interest rate hike.

The Hang Seng Index edged up 10.07 points to 23,797.75.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index was also barely moved, ticking up 0.62 points to 3,091.33, while the Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, inched down 0.01 points to 2,048.18.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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Singapore shares open 0.4% higher on Wednesday after firmer Wall Street

SINGAPORE stocks opened 0.41 per cent higher on Wednesday, with the Straits Times Index adding 11.74 points to 2,908.29 as at 9.01am.

Nasdaq hit a fresh record, jumping 0.5 per cent to 5,275.91 points on Tuesday, up about 14 points from the last record set on Aug 15.The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3 per cent to 18,538.12, while the broad-based S&P 500 rose 0.3 per cent to 2,186.48. Lacklustre US economic data reportedly boosted confidence that the Federal Reserve will continue to keep interest rates low.

In Singapore, about 73.7 million shares worth S$56.1 million in total changed hands. Gainers beat losers 80 to 35.

Top stocks by value traded were DBS, SGX and Singtel.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 up with some overseas markets, foreign buying

Taiwan stocks rose on Tuesday tracking gains in some overseas markets and supported by foreign investors buying shares.

As of 0158 GMT, the main Taiex index rose 0.6 per cent to 9,144.96, after closing up 1.1 in the previous session.

The electronics subindex rose 0.9 per cent, while the financials subindex gained 0.2 per cent.

Tech component makers were among actively traded stocks. Optical storage device maker Ritek was up 2.1 per cent, while printed circuit board maker Compeq was 3.5 per cent higher.

Foreign investors have net purchased local shares so far in September, adding to their net buying for the past three months in a row.

The purchases have strengthened the Taiwan dollar to levels not seen since mid-August.

The Taiwan dollar firmed NT$0.092 to NT$31.414 per US dollar.

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Stocks to watch: SMRT, Sim Lian, Yangzijiang

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

SMRT Corporation said that a scheme meeting will be convened on Sept 29, 3.30pm, at The Star Theatre, Level 5 - same day and venue as the NRFF EGM. The latter is the EGM of the company in relation to the proposed sale of its operating assets, in connection with the contemplated transition from the current rail financing framework to the new rail financing framework (NRFF).

The meeting - through a shareholders' vote - will determine if Belford (a 100 per cent owned company of Temasek) will acquire 100 per cent shareholding of SMRT at a scheme price of S$1.68 apiece.

Sim Lian Group (SLG) said that the privatisation offer of the company by Coronation 3G has been declared unconditional.
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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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Singapore shares open 1.13% higher on Monday after weak US job data

SINGAPORE stocks opened 1.13 per cent higher on Monday, with the Straits Times Index adding 31.63 points to 2,835.55 as at 9am.

This followed weaker-than-expected US August jobs data released on Friday, which reports have said will reduce the odds for a US rate hike this month.

In Singapore, about 50.1 million shares worth S$73.4 million in total changed hands. Gainers almost tripled losers at 98 to 32.

Top stocks by value traded were Singtel, DBS and Singapore Exchange.

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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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