Hong Kong shares set to open weaker as growth worries weigh
Hong
Kong shares were set to start weaker on Tuesday as worries about global
growth following a fall in German business sentiment kept equities in
check.
The Hang Seng index <.HSI>, which has risen for each
of the past three weeks, closed down 0.2 percent on Monday as investors
locked in gains ahead of the quarter-end.
Seoul shares seen weakening on German data, Spain eyed
Seoul
shares <.KS11> are seen faltering early on Tuesday from a German
confidence survey that dragged down global stock markets overnight,
adding to concerns over the euro zone debt crisis despite recent
measures taken by central banks to shore up growth.
German
business sentiment fell for a fifth straight month in September to its
lowest level since early 2010, reflecting that even the euro zone's
strongest economy is sensitive to the region's economic woes.
Investors now await cues from the Spanish government which is set to present its draft budget for 2013 on Thursday.
"A possible bailout request from Spain will pump liquidity from the
European central bank, ease the burden of the euro zone crisis and
eventually lead to some stability in the global financial markets," said
Ma Ju-ok, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities in Seoul.
Ma said in a
research note that the South Korean stock market was expected to settle
near the key psychological level of 2,000 points this week as retail
investors and institutions finished their profit-taking from last week's
rally.
Nikkei seen weaker after German data, Caterpillar forecast
Japan's
Nikkei share average was seen dropping on Tuesday as investors trim
risk exposure on renewed concerns about the global economy caused by
weak German business sentiment data and a cut in forecast earnings from
Caterpillar Inc <CAT.N>.
Market players said the Nikkei
was likely to trade between 8,950 to 9,050 after Nikkei futures in
Chicago <0#NIY:> closed at 8,985, down 0.1 percent from the close
in Osaka <JNIc1>.
"The German data is just the latest sign
of a global slowdown and is likely to drag on the market today," said
Toshiyuki Kanayama, senior market analyst at Monex.
German
business sentiment dropped in September to its lowest since early 2010,
suggesting the euro zone's largest and strongest economy is succumbing
to a downturn despite the European Central Bank's recent efforts to
safeguard the single currency.
A firmer yen, around 77.85 yen to
the dollar, is also likely to weigh on exporters as it threatens to
erode their overseas revenues once repatriated and makes them less
competitive.
Japanese suppliers for Apple Inc could also be
sold off after supply constraints kept sales of the iPhone 5 below some
market forecasts and investors worried the Apple would not be able to
keep up with demand.
Gold falls on weak commodities, option expiry eyed
Gold
fell on Monday, retreating from the previous session's nearly
seven-month high as broadly lower crude oil and grain prices prompted
investors to take profits.
Palladium dropped 4 percent for its
biggest one-day decline since March on signs of platinum output
returning to normal in top producer South Africa, triggering heavy
speculative selling.
Traders said volatility could increase ahead of
Tuesday's U.S. COMEX gold option expiration, while open interest in
U.S. gold futures rose to a one-year high for a third straight session.
Bullion's
rally is showing signs of fatigue after five straight weeks of higher
prices. Repeated failures to break above key technical resistance above
$1,790 an ounce to set a new 2012 high also prompted some investors to
lessen their bullish bets.
Spot gold <XAU=> was down 0.6
percent at $1,762.20 an ounce by 2:11 p.m. EDT (1811 GMT). On Friday,
gold hit a high of $1,787.20, just short of this year's peak of
$1,790.30 reached on Feb. 29.
U.S. COMEX gold futures <GCZ2>
for December delivery settled down $13.40 an ounce at $1,764.60. Trading
volume totaled around 150,000 lots, in line with its 30-day average,
preliminary Reuters data showed.
Silver <XAG=> fell 1.5 percent to $33.91 an ounce.
Euro declines to more than one-week low vs dollar, yen
The
euro fell to its lowest in more than a week against the dollar and yen
on Monday as a weak German business sentiment report and uncertainty
about debt-plagued Spain added to concerns about the euro zone's
slumping economy.
The drop in German business sentiment in September
to its lowest since early 2010 raised worries that Germany, the largest
euro zone economy, is succumbing to a downturn despite the European
Central Bank's recently announced bond-buying plan.
Spain is also
adding to the euro zone's pain. Spanish government bond yields rose on
signs Madrid is making slow progress toward asking for the international
bailout that markets are anticipating. Italian yields also rose.
Many
market participants also believe the euro is poised for a pullback
after a sharp rally in recent weeks that took the common currency to a
four-month high against the dollar at $1.3169 on Sept. 17.
The euro
hit a session low of $1.2889, its lowest since Sept. 13. It last traded
at $1.2928 <EUR=>, down 0.4 percent. Initial support is seen at
$1.2905, the 23.6 percent retracement of the July to September rally,
followed by its 200-day moving average, which comes in around $1.2828.
Against
the yen, the euro last traded at 100.63 yen <EURJPY=>, down 0.8
percent. It dropped to 100.33, a more than one-week low.
Wall St drops after Caterpillar forecast, German data
U.S.
stocks edged lower on Monday as a disappointing forecast from
Caterpillar <CAT.N> and weak German data increased concerns that
global growth may remain sluggish. Minutes before the close,
Caterpillar cut its earnings forecast for 2015, citing weakness in the
world economy. Its stock fell 0.9 percent to $90.87 and was the top drag
on the Dow. After the bell, Caterpillar's stock lost another 2.1
percent to $88.99.
An index of German business sentiment declined
for a fifth consecutive month in September, showing Europe's strongest
economy was moving closer toward recession as the euro zone's debt
crisis remains unresolved.
Concerns about a stalling global economy
also were reflected in energy and technology shares, with the S&P
energy index <.GSPE> down 0.5 percent and the S&P 500
technology index <.GSPT> down 0.8 percent.
But the S&P 500
is on track for a 7.6 percent gain for the quarter. Analysts said
investors are probably now participating in "window dressing," where
fund managers add some of the latest outperformers to their portfolio.
The
gains have largely been tied to central bank stimulus plans. On Sept.
6, the European Central Bank announced its bond-buying plan; a week
later, the Federal Reserve unveiled a third round of quantitative easing
intended to bolster the economy and reduce U.S. unemployment.
The
Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> declined 20.55 points, or 0.15
percent, to close at 13,558.92. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index
<.SPX> shed 3.26 points, or 0.22 percent, to 1,456.89. The Nasdaq
Composite Index <.IXIC> dropped 19.18 points, or 0.60 percent, to
end at 3,160.78.
Crude Declines for Fifth Time in Six Days
Oil
dropped for the fifth time in six days as discord over the handling of
Europe debt crisis and a decline in German business sentiment
renewed concern that the European crisis will reduce oil demand. Prices
fell 1 percent after German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French
President Francois Hollande disagreed at a meeting Sept. 22 on a
timetable to introduce joint oversight of Europe̢۪s banks. German
business confidence unexpectedly fell to the lowest level in more than
two years, helping push the euro down against the dollar.
Oil for
November delivery declined 96 cents to settle at $91.93 a barrel on the
New York Mercantile Exchange, down 7.1 percent since Sept. 14 and 7
percent for the year. Brent oil for November settlement decreased
$1.61, or 1.4 percent, to end at $109.81 a barrel on the London-based
ICE Futures Europe exchange. The European benchmark grade̢۪s premium to
West Texas Intermediate narrowed for the first time in three days,
falling to $17.88.
In speeches marking Franco-German reconciliation
after World War II, Merkel rejected Hollande appeal to activate
oversight of the banking union as soon as possible. Deadlock over
regulation may delay a key building block in resolving the single
currency debt crisis.