Asian shares pushed higher on Tuesday on the back of rising U.S. manufacturing output and a jump in euro zone business activity, ahead of a momentous U.S. Federal Reserve policy decision later this week.
Investors are on tenterhooks over when the Fed will start to reduce its $85 billion-a-month bond-buying program, a major driver of global risk assets in recent years.
A majority of economists polled by Reuters expect the taper to happen in March, but a recent run of upbeat economic data has steadily shortened the odds on an announcement at this week’s two-day meeting concluding on Wednesday — or in January.
“Although we have heavier odds pinned on the tapering being announced in January, we think the economic case has already been made for pulling the trigger,” analysts at Societe Generale wrote in a note.
“The only reason to delay would be to give the FOMC the opportunity to strongly signal its intent to taper in January. In either case — actual taper or signal of impending taper — we expect the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to test 2.9 percent and the curve to bear steepen.”
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS advanced 0.4 percent, facing resistance at its 200-day moving average. The index hit a three-month intraday low in the previous session.
The Asia ex-Japan gauge is down 1.4 percent this year, sharply underperforming a 47 percent jump in Japan’s benchmark Nikkei, which is heading for its best yearly rise since 1972.
The Nikkei .N225 gained 0.8 percent on Tuesday, rebounding from a 3-1/2 week closing low in the previous session.
“With signs of recovery worldwide and stronger economic data, optimism has seemingly returned ahead of the key U.S. Federal Reserve decision,” said Tracey Warren, business development manager at CMC Markets stockbroking.
Financial bookmakers expected major European indexes .FTSE .GDAXI .FCHI to open flat to modestly weaker, however.
Overnight, U.S. stocks rose, having posted their worst week since August on Friday, after manufacturing output increased for a fourth straight month in November, suggesting the economy is gaining momentum. U.S. S&P E-mini futures were flat in Asian trade on Tuesday.
Yields on benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasuries ended 11 basis points higher at 2.8793 percent on Monday, not far from a three-month high of 2.932 percent set on December 6.
EURO ATTRACTION
The pick-up in euro zone business activity boosted the common currency. It was up 0.1 percent at $1.37725, adding to Monday’s 0.1 percent gain and within sight of a seven-week high of $1.3811 reached last week.
The dollar pulled back further against the yen from a five-year high set on Friday. The greenback was at 102.97 yen after easing 0.3 percent on Monday.
The Australian dollar was little changed after the Reserve Bank of Australia said there have been further signs that past cuts in interest rates are working to stimulate the economy, though it again would not rule out the chance of easing further if needed.
The Aussie dollar was at $0.8950, close to a 3-1/2 month low of $0.8909 set on Friday.
“Money market pricing on the next full 25 basis points move remains for a hike in 2015 suggesting that there may be some further scope for AUD-negative adjustment,” Todd Elmer, head of G10 strategy for Asia ex-Japan at Citigroup in Singapore, wrote in a note.
Emerging Asian currencies came under pressure ahead of the Fed outcome, with Indonesia’s rupiah at 12,115 per dollar, near its five-year low of 12,120 set on Monday.
Among commodities, U.S. crude prices eased 0.1 percent to about $97.4 a barrel, giving up some of the previous session’s 0.7 percent rise.
Gold rose 0.5 percent to around $1,246 an ounce, heading for a third straight gaining day, helped by short-covering ahead of the Fed outcome.
REUTERS
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