Bond yields decline as Asian stocks fluctuate

Gains for US stocks and bonds on Thursday came as US economic data showed new home sales beating estimates, initial jobless claims dropping and business activity expanding at a solid pace.

Some Asian equity benchmarks advanced, with a decline in Treasury yields boosting sentiment. Japanese shares underperformed after the yen strengthened.

Indexes in Australia and South Korea advanced, offsetting Japan’s slide to keep MSCI’s Asian index flat. US futures were little changed after the S&P 500 rose 0.2% and the Nasdaq 100 climbed 0.8%. The moves partly reflected the 22% leap for Tesla Inc. shares on strong earnings and forecast.

Treasury yields fell for a second day as traders reassess bets on US rate cuts and risks from the upcoming presidential election. Yields for Australian and New Zealand bonds also fell. The dollar was steady, on track for a fourth straight weekly gain. Australian and New Zealand bond yields fell.

A surge in Treasury yields earlier in the week had led to risk-off across markets, as traders scale back expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts. Economic data next week will provide more clarity, while polls show a tie between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in swing states.

“After the election we are still expecting the dollar index to trend lower because we expect the Fed will further cut interest rates no matter who wins,” said Carie Li, global market strategist, DBS Bank Hong Kong, speaking on Bloomberg Television.

The yen was slightly lower after a Thursday rally against the dollar ahead of the weekend’s election that may see Japan’s ruling coalition is in danger of losing its majority in the lower house of parliament for the first time since 2009. Such an outcome would weaken the yen and Japanese stocks, according to strategists.

Gains for US stocks and bonds on Thursday came as US economic data showed new home sales beating estimates, initial jobless claims dropping and business activity expanding at a solid pace.

The “Goldilocks” data that was broadly in line with forecasts “is the best outcome for a continued rebound in stocks and bonds,” said Tom Essaye at The Sevens Report.

In Japan, Governor Kazuo Ueda signaled the central bank won’t hike interest rates next week, with almost all BOJ watchers already expecting no policy shift this month. Ueda spoke ahead of the nation’s election this weekend and after the yen slid to the lowest level since July 31 against the dollar earlier this week.

Elsewhere in Asia, China’s recent barrage of fiscal measures fall short of what’s needed to address deflationary risks, according to one senior International Monetary Fund official. The central government “has to spend” more to address the property crash and ease price pressures, according to Krishna Srinivasan, the organization’s Asia-Pacific department chief.

In a positive sign for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., it has achieved early production yields at its first plant in Arizona that surpass similar factories in its home base.

US Economy

Investors scoured US company earnings for clues on the health of the economy and corporate profits. United Parcel Service Inc. — an economic barometer — jumped 5.3% after returning to sales and profit growth. International Business Machines Corp. and Honeywell International Inc.’s results failed to inspire.

“Despite the possibility of more volatility as we get deeper into earnings season and close in on the November election, the market’s longer-term outlook remains solid,” said Daniel Skelly at Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management Market Research & Strategy team.

Money markets are currently pricing about an 85% chance the Fed will cut rates by a quarter-point next month, and around 135 basis points of easing by the end of 2025.

“Investors see the resiliency of the economy and employment forcing the Fed to be ‘slower to lower’ on rates,” said Sam Stovall at CFRA, who anticipates two 25 basis-point cuts in 2024.

In commodities, oil advanced after dropping Thursday as oversupply concerns overshadowed the risks from Israel’s potential retaliatory strike on Iran. Gold was steady Friday after edging higher in the prior day.