Asian markets were sharply lower in initial trading, in reaction to the -2.21%, or -364.8 pts fall in DJIA overnight. But there seems to be some bargain hunting towards the end of Asian session. The China Shanghai Composite dropped to as low as 2867.55 intraday, and breached the low made in last year's rout in August. But it reversed earlier losses and is trading up at the time of writing. HK HSI, and to a lesser extent, Nikkei, followed. Meanwhile, in the currency markets, major pairs are crosses are generally stuck in range with the exception of Canadian dollar. Yen maintains a firm tone but need more drastic developments in the stock markets to put it higher.
In US, the latest Beige Book showed that economic activity expanded in 9 out of 12 Districts over the survey period. Growth was generally described as "modest" or "moderate". Concerning the employment market, 4 Districts indicated signs of labor market tightening. Yet, there was "little overall change in wage and price pressures, with wage increases running from flat to moderate, while price increases tended to be minimal".
Boston Fed President Eric Rosensgren sent dovish messages about the economic outlook, suggesting that risks are to the downside over the median growth forecasts. As he suggested, these downside risks reflect "continued headwinds from weakness within countries that represent many of our major trading partners". He also noted that there are only limited data so far to support the projected path of inflation to target seen in staff projections and "further tightening will require data continuing to be strong enough that growth will be at or above potential, so that Federal Reserve policymakers can be confident that inflation will reach our 2% target".
ON the data front, Australian employment dropped -1k in December with unemployment rate unchanged at 5.8%. Both were better than expectations. Japan machine orders dropped -14.4% mom in November, domestic CGPI dropped -3.4% yoy in December, machine tool orders dropped -25.8% yoy in December. BoE rate decision is the main focus today. The central bank is widely expected to keep interest rate unchanged at 0.50% and asset purchase target at GBP 375b. The announce would likely be a non-event. US will release import price index and jobless claims. Canada will release new housing price index.