SINGAPORE, August 16(ABC): Asian markets struggled for direction on Tuesday, weighed by worries over global growth following weak China data that knocked oil prices and commodity-linked currencies.
The dollar held near a one-week high as investors piled back into the safe-haven currency, while the Aussie, euro and Chinese yuan buckled.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) ticked up 0.2%, recovering from Monday’s losses. MSCI’s benchmark index has gained 5% from the year’s lows but is still down 15% so far this year.
Just as investors were taking heart from a four-week rally in global equities that pushed markets to their highest in more than three months, Monday’s underwhelming Chinese activity data spanning industrial output and retail sales hit sentiment.
Also, U.S. single-family homebuilders’ confidence and New York state factory activity fell in August to their lowest since near the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a further sign the world’s largest economy is softening as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates.
“In short, the risks of a global recession are suddenly much clearer. Then again, they were ‘always’ clear to some,” Rabobank said in a note. “And does anyone think that a central-bank pivot will make them less likely at this stage?”
Overall, the picture was mixed across Asian bourses on Tuesday, with Tokyo (.N225) and Taiwan benchmarks little changed, while South Korean stocks (.KS11) gained 0.5%.
Chinese stocks rose, a day after the central bank unexpectedly cut interest rates after data showed economic activity and credit expansion slowed sharply in July. The CSI 300 index (.CSI300) ticked up 0.1% after dipping on Monday.
On Wall Street, major indexes climbed on Monday, reversing earlier session losses. Shares posted four straight weeks of gains amid optimism over a slowdown in U.S. inflation that could temper the pace of Fed rate hikes.
The U.S. economy contracted in the first and second quarters, amplifying an ongoing debate over whether the country is, or will soon be, in recession.