It is unclear exactly why stock futures, bonds – with European peripheral yields hitting new record lows for the second day in a row – gold, oil and pretty much everything else is up this morning but it is safe to say the central banks are behind it, as is the “de-escalation” algo as a meeting between Russia and Ukraine begins today in Belarus’ capital Minsk. Belarusian and Kazakhstani leaders will also be at the summit. Hopes of a significant progress on the peace talks were dampened following Merkel’s visit to Kiev over the weekend. The German Chancellor said that a big breakthrough is unlikely at today’s meeting. Russian FM Lavrov said that the discussion will focus on economic ties, the humanitarian crisis and prospects for a political resolution. On that note Lavrov also told reporters yesterday that Russia hopes to send a second humanitarian aid convoy to Ukraine this week. What he didn’t say is that he would also send a cohort of Russian troops which supposedly were captured by overnight by the Ukraine army (more shortly).
Asian equity markets haven’t really followed suit the US/European rally with bourses in Japan, Hong Kong, and China down 0.6%, 0.4% and 1%. The Dollar is softer against the Yen which perhaps added some pressure on Japanese equities. There isn’t much Asian headlines this morning and we suspect parts of the market (HK/China) are still busy with the ongoing earnings season. Asian credits are doing better in relative terms led by sovereigns. Indonesia’s USD bonds continued its march higher (helped by Treasuries) whilst its 5yr CDS spreads are marked 4bps tighter overnight. Asian stocks fall with the Kospi outperforming and the Shanghai Composite underperforming. MSCI Asia Pacific down 0.2% to 148.4. Nikkei 225 down 0.6%, Hang Seng down 0.4%, Kospi up 0.3%, Shanghai Composite down 1%, ASX up 0%, Sensex up 0%. 2 out of 10 sectors rise with health care, energy outperforming and utilities, telcos underperforming
This post was published at Zero Hedge on 08/26/2014.
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