As investors gear up for the new week, the prevailing sentiment is one of optimism and confidence. Last Friday’s U.S. jobs figures have continued to support the narrative of a “soft landing”, resulting in a decline in the dollar and bond yields. This, in turn, has fueled the ongoing “risk on” rally in global stock markets. With most major equity markets hitting record or multi-year highs, the prevailing trend seems to be firmly in favor of bullish sentiment.
While concerns such as profit-taking, quarter-end position adjustments, market valuations, and geopolitical uncertainties have emerged, they have not been significant enough to disrupt the overall positive momentum. The prevailing “buy the dip” mentality among investors has effectively cushioned any minor pullbacks, reinforcing the prevailing bullish trend.
European politics, particularly the recent elections in France, may have some impact on early trading in Asian markets. The unexpected outcome in the French election, with a leftist alliance surpassing expectations, has potential implications for the region. With the far-right party facing challenges in forming a government, investors are likely to keep a close watch on how this political development unfolds.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index recently hit a new record high, reflecting a rapid 7% increase in just two weeks. Moreover, the MSCI Emerging Market and MSCI Asia ex-Japan indices are also at their peak levels in two years. These milestones underscore the overall positive sentiment prevailing in the Asian markets.
Looking ahead, the economic calendar for Monday highlights key data releases from Japan, including bank lending, trade, current account, and overtime pay figures. Of particular interest is Japan’s overtime pay data, which has seen a notable increase this year. While rising wages are favorable for the economy, the recent decline in household spending poses a challenge for policymakers at the Bank of Japan.
In the coming week, central bank policy meetings in New Zealand, South Korea, and Malaysia are expected to garner attention from investors. Additionally, producer and consumer price inflation figures from China will provide insights into the economic landscape. Globally, market-sensitive events such as U.S. CPI inflation data and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s Congressional testimony will likely shape market trends.
The outlook for Asian financial markets remains positive, driven by strong investor sentiment, record-high market indicators, and key economic events on the horizon. While challenges such as political uncertainties and economic data fluctuations persist, the prevailing bullish trend suggests continued optimism among market participants.
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