Stock markets staged a strong rebound on optimism that weak China data would prompt the the government to provide more stimulus to prevent a hard landing. DJIA rose 390 pts, or 2.42% to close at 16492.68 after breaching 16500 handle briefly. S&P 500 also rose 48.19 pts, or 2.51% to close at 1969.41. Asian markets followed with most impressive rally in Japan. Nikkei trades up over 950 pts, nearly 5.5% and is on track to register the biggest daily gain since March 2011. Both the China Shanghai composite and Hong Kong HSI are trading up nearly 3% at the time of writing. In the currency markets, Yen is broadly lower on receding risk aversion. Meanwhile, commodity currencies and Sterling are so far the strongest major currencies this week.
Nikkei is additional lifted as Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe pledged to cut corporate tax next year. Abe said that the effective corporate tax rate, currently at around 35%, would be lowered at least by 3.3% next year. He also pledged to "go beyond that if possible". Abe said that the government will "push forward in reducing the rate down into the twenties over several years, bringing it to a level that compares favorably in the international context." And he said that will change Japan into a country for sustainable growth.
In Australia, RBA deputy Governor Philip Lowe said that the "missing ingredient" in the rebalancing from mining is business investment. Nonetheless, he noted that "investment climate would be improved through a strong focus by both business and government on innovation, productivity, human capital and entrepreneurship." Meanwhile, he said that China's recent handling of stock market crash "has led some to ponder the general direction of Chinese policy". And, "this is an issue that will bear close watching over the months ahead."
On the data front, Australia home loans rose 0.3% in July, missing expectation of 0.8%. Westpac consumer confidence dropped -5.6% in September. UK BRC shop price index dropped -1.4% yoy in August. UK production data and trade balance will be a major focus in European session. Canada will release housing starts and building permits.
The main focus ahead will be on BoC rate decision and statement. Canadian dollar was supported by rebound in crude oil recently. WTI is trading above 46 for the moment, 20% above last month's low of 37.75. However, recent data showed that Canada is now technically in recession. Real GDP contracted an annualized -0.5% in 2Q15, following a -0.8% decline in 1Q15. BoC is expected to keep policy rate unchanged at 0.50% this week. The accompanying statement would be an interesting one. The central bank could either sound dovish on the prospect of the economy. Or it could sound having worries eased by recent rebound in energy prices.