Asian Stocks

Standard & Poor’s Downgrade; Asian Stocks Slip

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Standard & Poor’s recently downgraded nine European countries, including France. The ratings imply that a solution to the issues in the region has yet to be found as the Eurozone debt crisis festers. Though the downgrades were expected by many, the situation remains shaky as concerns begin to spread.

“The downgrade set a nervous for this week’s markets as we approach more significant hurdles in the evolution of the Eurozone crisis,” said Ric Spooner of CMC Markets.

Asian stocks have slipped as a result of the ratings. MSCI’s index of Asia Pacific shares, excluding Japan, fell 0.3% after reaching a one-month high last week, while Japan’s Nikkei slid down to 1.51%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.01%, the Shanghai Composite 0.75%, and Korea’s Kospi dropped 1%.

Markets across the globe are bracing themselves as negotiations regarding the Greek and Eurozone debt remain relatively stagnant despite several efforts to get them moving.

“Failure of these negotiations remains a significant contagion risk,” Spooner explained.

At the moment, experts have projected an 8.7% growth in China’s economy for 2012. This growth will have a significant impact on the region, and will ease numerous financial pressures. If GDP does not, in fact, meet expectations, it may result in export-led downturns that China will be unable to resolve.

Asian Stocks Fall as Congressional Budget Office Reaches Deadline

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Asian stocks have fallen a fifth day, as have Standard & Poor’s 500 Index futures and the Australian and New Zealand dollars. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 0.4% in Tokyo, nearing to longest losing streak since August.

According to a Democratic aide, the congressional committee should be announcing its failure to reach an agreement on $1.2 trillion in federal budget savings. Japenese exports saw declines for the first time in a quarter, and Singapore predicts slow economic growth next year.

“There’s likely to be a continuing impasse and people will focus on the stability of the U.S. politically,” Tim Schroeders of Pengana Capital Ltd. said. “People will probably sit on the sideline and wait for clarity.”

Futures which expire in December show that the S&P 500 may extend its 3.8% decrease. Today marks the deadline for the Congressional Budget Office to receive a potential plan. The Congressional panel has thus far been deadlocked over taxes, while Democrats seek tax increases and Republicans push for tax cut extensions.

Asian Stocks Fall as Greek Prime Minister Steps Down

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Asian stocks suffered a blow as Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou agreed to leave his post and Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi fought to maintain his advantage in face of the parliamentary vote.

HSBC Hodings, Europe’s primary lender, slipped 1% in Hong Kong, while Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. fell 2.3%. Cnooc Ltd. fell 2.2% after the Chinese oil explorer’s BP Plc purchase in Argentina fell through.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index lost 0.4% in Tokyo, with approximately three shares falling for every two that rose. The measure fell 3.6% last week, the most since the beginning of the quarter, following Greece’s referendum plan.

“It might get worse before it gets better,” said Binay Chandgothia of Principal Global Investors in Hong Kong. “If you look at the experience in the last 12 to 18 months in Europe, the crisis brings out the right solution. The way they are going to move is one step forward, two steps backward. We have to live with this.”

China’s Stock Market and Greece’s Referendum: Michiya Tomita

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Asian stocks have fallen for three days as Greece’s referendum plan heightens concerns that the debt crisis will not be contained. Hong Kong stocks reconvened as a result of beliefs that China will now act to stimulate its economy.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 0.6% to 118.41 in Tokyo, while three stocks fell for every two that rose. Meanwhile, banks like the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, as well as developer and infrastructure companies rallied with hopes of an economic boost from the government.

“A loosening of monetary policy in China could support the stock market,” said Michiya Tomita, who helps oversee billions of dollars for Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. “Any gains may not be sustainable as uncertainties in Europe persist. Investors are taking a wait-and –see attitude.”

Asian Stocks Fall as World Concern Heightens

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Asian stocks have dropped, deepening the hole of the regional benchmark index’s biggest quarterly deterioration in over two years.

Sony Corp fell 6.2% in Tokyo, reaching its lowest price in 24 years, while Toyota Motor Corp, the largest carmaker in the world, fell 2% as well. Building materials, suppliers and mining companies have also seen significant losses.

“The U.S. is not falling into recession, but it’s definitely slowing down,” said Diane Lin of Pengana Capital in Sydney. “We might face more risks, particularly in a market that hasn’t had enough of a correction.”

In Tokyo, the MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell 2.8%, hitting 109.99., just before the meeting with the EU finance ministers. Nearly seven stocks fell for each that rose in the measure, and every one of the ten industry groups weakened.

The world’s concern increases as the gauge drops more than 20%, the European debt crisis worsens and the U.S. economic growth recedes.

Asia Stocks Fall as Crisis in Europe and US Heightens

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As the euro falls further against the dollar, Asian stocks slip as well. Mounting concerns of a new United States recession and the debt crisis in Europe have resulted in investors selling riskier assets.

Employment data in the US last week revealed that no jobs were created last month, for the first time in nearly a year.

“Even if you take out the effect from the Verizon strike, it is still a lousy number and people are concerned that growth is not there anymore,” Dominic Schnider of Singapore’s UBS Wealth Management said.

In the meantime, Europe now faces numerous political and legal trials which can have a damaging effect on the country’s already struggling economy.

“In this atmosphere, foreign investors are likely to remain risk-adverse and inactive,” explained Mitsushige Akino of Ichiyoshi Investment Management in Tokyo.

Tokyo’s Nikkei share average .N225 dropped 2%, and MSCI’s broadcast index of Asia Pacific shares beyond Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS dropped 2.6%, leaving it more than 17% below April’s high. The sectors hit the hardest were energy and materials.