Asian equity markets are mixed

Asian markets cautious

Asian equity markets are having a mixed session, mostly trading from the weaker side after a volatile session on Friday saw the gnomes of Wall Street finish the day almost unchanged, after unwinding some ugly intra-day losses. The S&P 500 finished 0.01% lower, the Nasdaq lost 0.30%, and the Dow Jones rose just 0.03%.

For some reason, US index futures are rallying impressively today, perhaps in a delayed reaction to the easing of long-dated yields on Friday, or just in another act of mindless following the leader we saw throughout last week. S&P 500 futures have rallied by 0.85%, Nasdaq futures have jumped by 1.05%, and Dow futures have climbed by 0.55%.

Asia, however, isn’t taking the bait, with most regional markets trading on the soft side after Beijing tightened virus restrictions in parts of the city, and Shanghai’s Jingan district closed shops and told residents to stay at home. Japan’s Nikkei 225, ever a slave to movements in the Nasdaq has posted a reluctant 0.63% gain today, but South Korea’s Kospi is unchanged, while Taipei has risen by 0.38%, with Bangkok climbing by 0.40%.

Otherwise, it is a sea of red. Mainland China’s Shanghai Compositae has fallen by 0.50%, with the CSI 300 slumping by 1.05%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng has tumbled 1.90% lower, with Singapore down 0.50%, Kuala Lumpur is unchanged, Jakarta lower by 0.60%, and Manila down 0.40%. Australian markets have quickly unwound the post-election bounce this morning as well, the All Ordinaries now unchanged, while the ASX 200 has dipped into the red, edging 0.10% lower.

With no positive developments around the Ukraine situation over the weekend, and everyone important probably lowering their carbon footprint in Davos anyway, Asia’s negative price action should see European markets start the day weaker. A soft German IFO survey may darken the mood. US markets remain a complete turkey shoot of mind-bending sentiment intraday sentiment swings.

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