Asia shares turn cagey as rate hikes, earnings loom

S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures both eased 0.3%, while EUROSTOXX 50 futures and FTSE futures dipped 0.2%.

Investors are confident the Federal Reserve will raise rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday, followed the day after by half-point hikes from the Bank of England and European Central Bank, and any deviation from that script would be a real shock. Just as important will be the guidance on future policy with analysts expecting a hawkish message of inflation is not yet beaten and more needs to be done."With U.S. labor markets still tight, core inflation elevated, and financial conditions easing, Fed Chair Powell's tone will be hawkish, stressing that a downshifting to a 25bp hike doesn't mean a pause is coming," said Bruce Kasman, chief economist at JPMorgan, who expects another rise in March.

That dovish outlook will also be tested by data on U.S. payrolls, the employment cost index and various ISM surveys. Figures on EU inflation could be important for whether the ECB signals a half-point rate rise for March, or opens the door to slowdown in the pace of tightening.

South Africa South Africa Latest News, South Africa South Africa Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Asia markets fall as China stocks set for bull run on return from holidayChinese stocks are poised to enter a bull market as traders return after a week-long New Year holiday — the CSI 300 gained more than 19% from its recent lows seen at the end of October last year.
Source: CNBC - 🏆 12. / 72 Read more »

Asia markets mixed as China stocks set for bull run on return from holidayChinese stocks are poised to enter a bull market as traders return after a week-long New Year holiday — the CSI 300 gained more than 19% from its recent lows seen at the end of October last year. Isn’t China part of Asia? Today we think of China as we thought of Japan in the '80s. But in ten years China will be even more irrelevant to the world stage than Japan is now. Everyone in Macau surprised by this? That's the main walkway at TaipaVillage in Macau which hasn't seen this much crowd in the last few years 🤩 It's 'rabbits' 🐇🐇🐇 run more than 'a' bull 🐂 run What a way to jumpstart the year of the rabbit
Source: CNBC - 🏆 12. / 72 Read more »

Asia shares brace for rate hikes, earnings rushInterest rates, tech earnings and jobs and wage data are in traders' sights. 'Gird your loins!'
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »