- (CN) CHINA MARCH CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) Y/Y: 3.6% V 3.4%E; Q1 CPI Y/Y: 3.8%.
- (CN) CHINA MARCH PRODUCER PRICE INDEX (PPI) Y/Y: -0.3% V -0.3%E (first decline since November 2009).
- (JP) JAPAN FEBRUARY CURRENT ACCOUNT TOTAL: ¥1.18T V ¥1.12TE; ADJUSTED CURRENT ACCOUNT TOTAL: ¥854B V ¥650BE (5-month high); TRADE BALANCE: ¥102B V ¥104BE.
- (KR) SOUTH KOREA MARch PRODUCER PRICE INDEX Y/Y: 2.8% V 3.5% PRIOR (26-month low).
- Nikkei225 -0.9%
- S&P/ASX closed
- Kospi -1.3%
- Taiwan Taiex -1.0%
- Shanghai Composite -0.2%
- Hang Seng closed
- June S&Ps -1.1% at 1,375
- June gold +0.7% at $1,642/oz
- May Crude -1.1% at $102.14
Asian equity markets are in the red across the board following the disappointing nonfarm payrolls report out of the US on Friday showed only 120K new jobs created - well short of 205K consensus and a 4-month low. The analyst community appears to be split on the implications, as some have attributed the surprising decline to warm winter months spreading out the seasonality of spring hiring, while others pointed to a decline in labor participation rate as well as a downright contraction in the household survey (used to measure unemployment rate) portion of the report.
Markets are siding with the bearish camp - June S&P500 contract is down nearly 20 handles in mid 1,370s, while long US T-bond yields are down 10bps toward 3.20%. Tomorrow's address by the Fed's Bernanke on financial stability at the Atlanta Fed acquires more significance in the event of fresh hints of QE3 as a result of a labor market setback.
China released its monthly inflation data showing slightly higher-than-expected consumer price pressure. 3.6% CPI topped 3.4% consensus and a 3.2% prior print which was also a 20-month low. Rising inflation could diminish expectations for another easing out of the PBoC, even though Beijing policymakers could still respond to slowing quarterly GDP expected on Friday. Consensus points to a 5th consecutive quarter of slower growth at 8.4%. Bank lending and trade data out of China also remain on tap early in the week; however, these datapoints are rumored to contain an upside surprise.
Geopolitical jitters on the peninsula are looking somewhat more ominous. North Korea is said to plan for its third underground nuclear test, while also loading the launchpad with a long-range rocket. Regional foreign ministers met over the weekend, pressuring China to express more steadfast opposition to Pyongyang plans.
Speakers/Geopolitical/In the press
- (KR) North Korea may have moved 1st stage of long-range rocket on its launchpad; Liftoff may happen next week. - Financial Press
- (KR) China, Japan, and South Korea foreign ministers held talks on Sunday on cooperation in the face of planned North Korea rocket launch; separate report from South Korean press suggesting North Korea may be preparing for a third nuclear test.
- (HK) Hong Kong Financial Secretary Tsang: Still very concerned over the risks of a potential property bubble. - Financial Press
- (CN) Average new home prices for Beijing in Q1 fell about 20%. - Financial Press
- (JP) Bank of Japan (BOJ) expected to maintain its economic assessment as part of this week's decision. - Nikkei News
- (EU) Japan Finance Minister Azumi and China Fin Min Xie held talks this weekend over IMF contributions to help contain European crisis. - Financial Press
- (ES) Spain Finance Minister De Guindos: Reiterates Spain can overcome crisis without external aid.
- (EU) IIF's Dallara: Europe is likely to remain in a mild recession for the better part of this year. - Nikkei News
- TM: Reports China Mar sales +2.2% y/y at 86.0k units.
- WOLF: Receives $7.00/shr Acquisition Proposal From KSL Capital Partners.