Asian markets mixed as traders struggle to hold Fed cut rally

04/12/2025 08:21 AST

Asian markets struggled to maintain their early momentum Thursday, even after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates for a third successive time next week. While Wall Street rose for a second day after a minor selloff on Monday, regional traders moved a little more tentatively as worries over extended valuations in the tech sector continued to linger.

Bets on a US reduction on Wednesday have surged to around 90 percent in the past two weeks, after several Fed officials backed such a move saying supporting jobs was more important than keeping a lid on elevated inflation.

The need for more action was further stoked by data from payrolls firm ADP showing 32,000 posts were lost in November, compared with an expected rise of 10,000, according to Bloomberg. "Hiring has been choppy of late as employers weather cautious consumers and an uncertain macroeconomic environment," ADP chief economist Nela Richardson said.

The reading was also the most since early 2023 and is the latest example of a stuttering labour market. "Right now, the data argues for additional Fed funds rate cuts. US labor demand is weak, consumer spending is showing early signs of cracking, and upside risks to inflation are fading," Elias Haddad, of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co, wrote. Markets in Asia stumbled as they struggled to match New York's advance.

Tokyo advanced more than two percent, with Hong Kong, Sydney, Mumbai, Taipei and Manila also up, but Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, Wellington, Bangkok and Jakarta slipped. A healthy 30-year Japanese government bond sale provided some support as it slightly eased tensions about a posible rate hike by the central bank this month. The news compounded a strong response to a 10-year auction earlier in the week that settled some nerves.

On stocks, Pepperstone's Michael Brown said in a note: "Path continues to point to the upside, with the bull case remaining a very solid one indeed, and with participants seeking to ride the coattails of the rally higher, especially amid the increased influence of FOMO/FOMU flows as we move into the end of the year." However, while market players remain confident that the Fed will continue to cut interest rates into the new year, economists at Bank of America still had a note of caution.

"The most immediate source of volatility remains the US Federal Reserve," they wrote. "While inflation has moderated and the trajectory of policy easing is intact, uncertainty around timing persists. Any delay in rate cuts could remain a source of volatility."

On currency markets the Indian rupee wallowed at record lows of more than 90 per dollar as investors grow increasingly worried about a lack of progress in trade talks with Washington, as observers say Donald Trump's 50 percent tariffs are taking a toll on the economy.

Key figures at around 0700 GMT

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 2.3 percent at 51,028.42 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.8 percent at 25,966.14
Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 3,875.79 (close)
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1655 from $1.1667 on Wednesday
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3334 from $1.3352
Dollar/yen: UP at 155.36 yen from 155.23 yen
Euro/pound: UP at 87.41 pence from 87.39 pence
West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.7 percent at $59.36 per barrel
Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.6 percent at $63.02 per barrel
New York - Dow: UP 0.9 percent at 47,882.90 (close)
London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 percent at 9,692.07 (close)

AFP