Asia-Pacific markets are preparing for a mixed start on Tuesday as investors eagerly await China’s trade data for the month of July. Economists surveyed by Reuters are predicting a further decline in exports, with a projected slide of 12.5% compared to June’s 12.4% drop. The outcome of this data release will likely have a significant impact on market sentiment and trading activity across the region.
Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index point to a weaker opening, standing at 19,412, compared to the index’s last close of 19,537.92. This downward trend reflects potential concerns over the anticipated decline in Chinese exports. Investors will closely monitor the trade data for any signs of economic recovery that may drive market performance in Hong Kong.
In Australia, futures for the S&P/ASX 200 indicate a lower opening at 7,275, compared to the previous close of 7,309.2. The Australian market is likely to be influenced by the overall sentiment in the region, particularly in relation to China’s trade figures. A significant drop in Chinese exports could have negative implications for Australia’s export-dependent economy.
In contrast to Hong Kong and Australia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 is expected to open on a positive note. Futures contracts in Chicago stand at 32,435, while its counterpart in Osaka is at 32,410, both higher than the index’s last close of 32,254.56. However, Japan is facing its own economic challenges, with household spending continuing to decline for the fourth consecutive month. The 4.2% year-on-year drop in household spending in June is steeper than the 4% decline seen in May.
Overnight Developments in the US
On the previous day, all three major US indexes experienced gains as investors digested better-than-expected earnings results. With approximately 85% of S&P 500 companies already reporting their quarterly results, nearly 80% of them have exceeded Wall Street’s expectations, according to FactSet. This positive earnings season has boosted investor confidence, leading to a surge of 1.2% in the Dow, its strongest performance since June 15. The Nasdaq Composite also recorded a 0.6% gain, while the S&P 500 closed higher by 0.9%. These gains ended a four-day losing streak for both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500.
As Asian markets await the release of China’s trade data, investors are cautiously optimistic about the potential outcomes. While the positive momentum in the US markets may provide some support, concerns over the impact of declining Chinese exports on the global economy persist. Market participants will closely analyze the data to gauge the health of China’s economy and assess its implications on trade-dependent nations in the region.
The Asian markets are poised for a mixed start as China’s trade data takes center stage. With varied expectations across different markets and lingering uncertainties, investors will closely monitor the outcome of China’s trade figures to determine the trajectory of regional market performance.