MM News

SYDNEY: Asian share markets and oil prices slipped on Monday as investors fretted about the economic fallout from fresh COVID-19 restrictions in China, with resulting risk aversion benefiting bonds and the dollar.

Beijing’s most populous district urged residents to stay at home on Monday as the city’s COVID case numbers rose, while at least one district in Guangzhou was locked down for five days.

The rash of outbreaks across the country has been a setback to hopes for an early easing in strict pandemic restrictions, one reason cited for a 10% slide in oil prices last week.

Chinese blue chips (.CSI300) fell 1.5% in early trade, dragging MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) down 1.3%. Japan’s Nikkei (.N225) eased 0.1% and South Korea (.KS11) lost 1.1%.

S&P 500 futures were down 0.4%, while Nasdaq futures slipped 0.3%. EUROSTOXX 50 futures lost 0.3% and FTSE futures 0.2%.

The U.S. Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday combined with the distraction of the soccer World Cup could make for thin trading, while Black Friday sales will offer an insight into how consumers are faring and the outlook for retail stocks.

Minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s last meeting are due on Wednesday and could sound hawkish, judging by how officials have pushed back against market easing in recent days.

Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic on Saturday said he was ready to step down to a half-point hike in December but also underlined that rates would likely stay high for longer than markets expected.

Futures imply an 80% chance of a rise of 50 basis points to 4.25-4.5% and a peak for rates around 5.0-5.25%. They also have rate cuts priced in for late next year.

“We are comfortable that the deceleration under way in U.S. inflation and European growth produces a moderation in the pace of tightening starting next month,” said Bruce Kasman, head of research at JPMorgan.

“But for central banks to pause they also need clear evidence that labour markets are easing,” he added. “The latest reports in the U.S., euro area, and U.K. point to only a limited moderation in labour demand, while news on wages points to sustained pressures.”

Central banks in Sweden and New Zealand are expected to hike their rates this week, perhaps by an outsized 75 basis points.

There are at least four Fed officials scheduled to speak this week, a teaser ahead of a speech by Chair Jerome Powell on Nov. 30 that will define the outlook for rates at the December policy meeting.