Aug 28 (Reuters) – A look at the day ahead in Asian markets.
Given the lack of obvious global catalysts, regional events may take on added weight on Wednesday.
Ueda’s tone on Friday was also hawkish, indicating that current rates are still well below ‘neutral’. This strengthens the case for further tightening this year beyond the mere 7 basis points of hikes rates markets are currently discounting.
The main economic indicator across the Asia/Pacific region on Wednesday will be Australian inflation. Economists polled by Reuters expect annual weighted consumer price inflation to have slowed to 3.4% in July from 3.8% in June.
That would be the lowest since February and closer to getting inflation back in the central bank’s 2%-3% target range for the first time since 2021. The Reserve Bank of Australia has held its cash rate at 4.35% since November last year, and last cut rates nearly five years ago.
The Aussie swaps market shows no rate cut is fully priced until December, with 100 bps of easing in total expected by the end of next year.
Despite being an extremely low-yielding currency, the Thai baht has rallied strongly in recent weeks, perhaps because of the central bank’s refusal to cut rates just yet. It is now the only one of seven key Asian currencies to be up against the U.S. dollar so far this year.
Indeed, if there is one discernible global driver for investors in Asia on Wednesday it is the U.S. dollar’s persistent weakness, as the currency slipped to a fresh low for the year against a basket of major currencies.
Here are key developments that could provide more direction to Asian markets on Wednesday:
– Australia inflation (July)
– BOJ Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino speaks
– Bank of Thailand Governor Suthiwartnarueput speaks
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Reporting by Jamie McGeever
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