Yen Advances as China Slowdown Concerns Spur Haven Demand

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The yen advanced, halting a four-day slide, on speculation a report Tuesday will add to evidence of slowing growth in China.

Japan’s currency was the biggest gainer versus the dollar among its developed-market counterparts before the data that economists said will show China’s manufacturing contracted in August for the first time since February. Chinese banks have passed on cuts in official deposit rates and even exceeded them, a sign that they lack confidence in the nation’s economic recovery.

The yen climbed 0.4 percent to 121.24 per dollar as of 8:21 a.m. in Tokyo. It strengthened 0.2 percent to 135.86 against the euro. The single currency advanced 0.2 percent to $1.1203.

Source: Bloomberg

Malaysia Held a Massive Demonstration

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Pro-democracy movement demanding Prime Minister Najib Razak retreated, following reports that he received US $ 700 million in his personal account of the institution of government-owned investment funds, 1MDB.

The protesters gathered in the Malaysian capital to attend the two-day demonstration demanding the resignation of the prime minister who faces serious charges of corruption.

Clean, civil society leading the country, demanding Najib Razak resign, following reports that he received US $ 700 million in his personal account of the institution of government-owned investment funds, 1MDB.

The government has blocked access to the Net page and declared the meeting at the Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur illegal because the activists did not get permission to hold the rally there. Authorities also banned the use of the yellow jersey that characterizes the Net and the logo of the group.

The Government has tightened security ahead of the demonstrations that took place from this Saturday.

Source: VOAindonesia

Asian Stocks Drop, Extending Biggest Monthly Retreat Since 2012

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Asian stocks fell, extending the biggest monthly drop since May 2012, as investors weighed comments from a weekend meeting of monetary policy makers.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index declined 0.6 percent to 130.26 as of 9:06 a.m. in Tokyo, on course to slide 8.3 percent in August. Futures on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index retreated 1.1 percent.

There’s good reason to believe inflation will move higher, Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer told delegates at the Kansas City Federal Reserve’s annual retreat in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. While Fischer was careful to say that he wasn’t signaling an impending rate increase, the remarks suggest the Federal Open Market Committee hasn’t ruled out a move when it gathers in Washington Sept. 16-17.

Source : Bloomberg

Japan Stocks Fall, Extending Biggest Monthly Loss Since 2012

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Japanese stocks fell, with the Topix index set to cap its biggest monthly loss in more than three years, as comments from Federal Reserve officials renewed speculation the U.S. may raise interest rates as soon as September.

The Topix slipped 0.7 percent to 1,538.78 as of 9:03 a.m. in Tokyo, heading for an 7.3 percent drop in August, the biggest such plunge since May 2012. The Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 0.8 percent to 18,976.20, on course for a 7.8 percent monthly loss. The yen strengthened 0.3 percent to 121.31 per dollar, halting four days of declines. U.S. stock futures tumbled after Fed officials meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, said inflation was likely to improve, dousing investor expectations that interest-rate hikes would be delayed until December.

Source: Bloomberg

Saham AS Ditutup Sedikit Berubah Pasca Pekan Yang Tidak Stabil

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Bursa Saham AS berakhir sedikit berubah, dengan indeks Standard & Poor 500 berada pada jalur untuk bulan terburuknya sejak Mei 2012, terkait kelonggaran yang ditemukan ekuitas dari fluktuasi pada awal pekan ini.

Indeks S & P 500 naik 0,1 persen menjadi 1,988.65 pada 04:00 sore di New York, setelah sebelumnya naik sebanyak 0,3 persen. Indeks Kamis mencatatkan kenaikan back-to-back terbaiknya sejak Maret 2009.

Indeks S & P 500 yang diperdagangkan hari ini berada di kisaran terkecil dalam hampir dua minggu terakhir. Indeks tersebut mengalami kenaikan 0,4 persen untuk menutupi periode volatilitas dalam seminggu di mana indeks acuan mengalami penurunan terbesarnya sejak 2011 dan masuk kedalam koreksi, mencatat reli lebih dari 6 persen selama dua hari. Indeks tersebut turun 5,9 persen pada bulan itu, atau yang tertajam sejak Oktober lalu.

Indeks acuan catatkan reli terbaik dua harinya kemarin sejak awal Bull Market pada tahun 2009 lalu, dibantu oleh data yang menunjukkan bahwa pertumbuhan ekonomi AS lebih tinggi dari perkiraan. Dow mendapatkan kenaikan back-to-back terbaiknya sejak Desember 2008. Ekuitas global telah menurun sebanyak $ 8.4 triliun pasca devaluasi tak terduga China atas yuan pada awal bulan ini yang memicu kekhawatiran bahwa ekonomi terbesar kedua dunia tersebut berada di ambang perlambatan yang lebih lajut lagi

Sumber: Bloomberg