Economic Data
- (JP) JAPAN CABINET GOVT DEC MONTHLY REPORT: MAINTAINS ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT (follows 4 prior monthly cuts in view)
- (NZ) NEW ZEALAND NOV CREDIT CARD SPENDING M/M: 0.4% V 0.3% PRIOR; Y/Y: +3.9% V -0.9% PRIOR
- (NZ) NEW ZEALAND NOV NET MIGRATION: 590 V 340 PRIOR
- (JP) Japan Nov Supermarket Sales y/y: -2.6% v -4.0% prior
- (KR) South Korea 2012 household debt to disposable income avg at 152.3% v 158.5% y/y
- (VN) Vietnam 2013 exports y/y: +18.3% at $114.6B, imports y/y: +7.1% at $114.3B - financial press
(as of 05:30 GMT)
- Nikkei225 -0.8%
- S&P/ASX -0.2%
- Kospi -0.9%
- Shanghai Composite -0.4%
- Hang Seng -0.7%
- Mar S&P500 -0.6% at 1,443
- Feb gold -0.2% at $1,643/oz
- Jan Crude Oil -1.3% at $89.15/brl
Asian markets quickly retreated from initial gains as uncertainty enveloped investors on renewed concerns related to the US 'fiscal cliff'. The expected vote on House Speaker Boehner's 'plan B' in the House of Representatives was cut short as the House abruptly called for recess. It was later reported, through a Republican aide, that the fiscal plan lacked enough support to pass. The House may reconvene after the Christmas holidays, as early as the 27th of Dec, with a new fiscal plan yet to be decided on.
March emini S&P 500 plunged to 1,391 before retreating back to 1,418 heading into the European session.
The Japanese government maintained its economic assessment for the first time in five months. The last report by the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Noda expected the Bank of Japan to continue powerful easing until deflation was contained. In addition, it assessed that the domestic economy is weakening amid the global economic downturn, but also noted signs of bottoming out in some key indicators such as production and consumption. Five of the 14 categories were revised lower, including public investment, corporate earnings and business confidence. Also, following up on comments made by the Governor Shirakawa on debating inflation at the next policy meeting, the Japanese press later reported that the BoJ was likely to adopt an inflation target next month.
Currencies/Fixed Income/Commodities
- IMF reports gold holdings for various countries for Nov; Brazil increased gold holdings by 14.7 tons to 67.2 tons
- (JP) China vessels were reported in disputed island territories for the first time since the Japan general elections - financial press
- (JP) Bank of Japan (BoJ) Gov Shirakawa: Foreign investor risk aversion is a factor behind weakness in the yen
- (JP) Bank of Japan (BoJ): Foreign ownership of Japanese debt has risen to a record high of 9.1% - financial press
- (JP) Local governments in Japan may have to revise their FY13 budgets as LDP looks to alter spending frameworks - Nikkei News
- (KR) South Korea reported the Dec 1st-20th trade balance: -$387M; exports -7.4% y/y, imports -4.6% y/y - financial press
- (CN) China could announce new housing curbs - financial press
- (CN) China Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (QFII) increased stock purchases from Aug - financial press
- Mazda 7261.JP: Reports Nov global production -10.3% y/y to 96.8K units
- Mitsubishi Electric 6503.JP: May lower FY profit guidance by 50% - Japanese press
- Kawasaki Heavy 7012.JP: To reduce shipbuilding business in Japan - Japanese press
- Tohoku Electric 9506.JP: Quick restart of Aomori nuclear facility expected to be ruled out - Japanese press
- Samsung Electronics 005930.KR: EU commission to file complaint for violating anti-trust rules - financial press
- Qantas Airways QAN.AU: Reports Nov passenger figures +6.4% y/y
- SIA.SG: New Zealand regulator imposed NZ$4.1M fine related to price fixing - financial press
- Cathay Pacific 293.HK: CEO said North American cargo has picked up - financial press
- VALE: Expects to write down the value of nickel and aluminum assets by $4.2B after a review of the assets - filing
- CTAS: Reports Q2 $0.63 v $0.63e, R$1.06B v $1.06Be; +0.6% afterhours
- MU: Reports Q1 -$0.27 v -$0.19e, R$1.83B v $2.01Be; -2.7% afterhours
- NKE: Reports Q2 $1.14 v $1.00e, R$5.96B v $6.02Be; +4.8% afterhours
- RHT: Reports Q3 $0.29 v $0.29e, R$344M v $338Me; +7.0% afterhours
- RIMM: Reports Q3 -$0.22 v -$0.35e, R$2.73B v $2.65Be; -9.0% afterhours
- TIBX: Reports Q4 $0.42 adj v $0.39e, R$296.5M v $298Me; +3.9% afterhours
- SNDK: Raises stock repurchase program by $750M (7% of market cap) to a total of $1.25B