Showing posts with label Wei YAO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wei YAO. Show all posts

Eco Analysis - Asia Round-up: Property market tightening in China sours the mood (K. Baader, W. Yao)

ECONOMICS
ECO ANALYSIS
March 4, 2013

Eco Analysis - Asia Round-up: Property market tightening in China sours the mood (K. Baader, W. Yao)

Asian stock markets started the week on a sour note, reacting to news of additional measures in mainland China to restrain real estate prices. This was arguably also the main factor driving down the Australian dollar, although the economic news reports this morning were also weak. The main exception to stock market weakness was Japan, where stocks are trading firmer despite a fractionally stronger yen. The relative stability of the yen is noteworthy, given that the proposed new BoJ governor, Mr Kuroda, reiterated in his confirmation hearing his strongly dovish bias, arguing for accelerated and broadened asset purchases. Lastly, an unexpectedly weak inflation reading in South Korea in our view boosted the chances of a rate cut by the Bank of Korea, a view that appears to be shared by the market, given the sharp decline in two-year government bond yields this morning.

Eco Analysis - China National People\'s Congress meeting preview (W. Yao)

ECONOMICS
ECO ANALYSIS
March 4, 2013

Eco Analysis - China National People\'s Congress meeting preview (W. Yao)

The annual plenary session of the National People's Congress (NPC) will convene on 5 March and close on 17 March. There is more to watch than just the routine Government Work Report and fiscal budget. New government leaders - including the President, Premier and top Ministers - will be appointed and formally take the helm. On the reform front, aside from affirmative rhetoric, we expect two concrete steps.

Eco Analysis - China's stubborn housing inflation risks further policy tightening (W. Yao)

Eco Analysis - China's stubborn housing inflation risks further policy tightening (W. Yao)

China January housing inflation accelerated to the fastest pace since early 2011. This report justifies Beijing's renewed hawkishness on the housing market. Further acceleration of housing inflation will most likely trigger more policy tightening. Meanwhile, RBA Governor Stevens sounded rather upbeat on the economy in testimony to Parliament, and rather disinclined to cut rates in the short term. Key points were that there is a good deal of stimulus in the pipeline from previous easing, and that the high A$ has been a key factor in the current low rate setting. In response, the A$ strengthened nearly 1c and short-term rates rose.