Asian markets surge on strong US consumer data

Asian markets surge on strong US consumer data

Japanese stocks surged and markets across Asia started strong on Friday
Japanese stocks surged and markets across Asia started strong on Friday. Photo: Richard A. Brooks / AFP
Source: AFP

Japanese stocks surged and markets across Asia started strong on Friday, tracking substantial gains on Wall Street after encouraging US retail sales data reassured investors about the health of the world's biggest economy.

The key Nikkei 225 index added nearly three percent following rallies on Wall Street, continuing a bullish run after stocks in Tokyo crashed Monday on worries about the US economy and a stronger yen.

Encouraging economic growth in Japan had already spurred the market on Thursday.

"Stabilising market conditions mean that the BoJ could again consider further policy normalisation," Alvin Tan from RBC Capital Markets said in a note.

"But the shock of the recent Japan equities tumble and yen surge means that another hike likely won't be on the table in the BoJ's September meeting."

The dollar rose more than one percent against the yen after the retail sales report was released.

Read also

Chinese tech giant Alibaba's quarterly profit shrinks 29 percent

PAY ATTENTION: Share your outstanding story with our editors! Please reach us through info@corp.legit.ng!

A weaker-than-expected labor market report recently sparked market turmoil over fears that the world's biggest economy was in worse health than anticipated -- but continued spending should allay recession worries.

"That lacklustre jobs data had everyone on edge, worried that the economy might crack under the pressure of high interest rates," independent analyst Stephen Innes said.

"But Thursday's numbers hint that the Fed might just pull off the impossible -- a soft landing, slowing the economy just enough to snuff out inflation without plunging us into a recession."

Chinese data on Thursday showed the country's industrial production slowing and unemployment rising in July, while consumer spending marginally beat analysts' expectations.

But markets in Hong Kong and Shanghai were also buoyed on Friday.

The Hang Seng index made a strong start while the Shanghai composite was marginally higher.

Read also

China's underwhelming data dampens hope of economic recovery

Despite a nearly 30 percent dip in quarterly profit reported on Thursday, Chinese tech giant Alibaba saw its stock soar in Hong Kong after it recorded gains in New York.

Alibaba runs some of China's most popular e-commerce apps and its performance is widely considered an indicator of broader economic trends.

Singapore, Seoul, Sydney, Taipei, Manila and Jakarta also posted healthy gains early.

Key figures around 0310 GMT

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 2.9 percent at 37,800.42 (break)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 1.7 percent at 17,397.64

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 2,880.05

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0980 from $1.0972

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2874 from $1.2853

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 148.82 yen from 149.06 yen

Euro/pound: DOWN at 85.29 pence from 85.36 pence

Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.1 percent at $80.96 per barrel

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.2 percent at $78.00 per barrel

New York - Dow: UP 1.4 percent at 40,563.06 points (close)

Read also

Asian stocks follow Wall Street climb

London - FTSE 100: UP 0.8 percent at 8,347.35 (close)

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.