Energy Stocks Gain in Asia as Traders Await Fed: Markets Wrap

Stocks in Hong Kong outperformed ahead of earnings from Tencent Holdings Ltd. An energy sub-index had the biggest gain in the MSCI Asia Pacific excluding Japan index, as well as in Australia. Crude and U.S. energy shares climbed overnight as the OPEC-led alliance of major oil producers accelerated the timeline for curbing a worldwide supply glut. The dollar slid from a two-week high, while Treasuries were un-traded thanks to the Japan holiday.
Markets are settling down after technology-led declines saw equities on the back foot at the start of the week. Though the broader market is recovering, the crisis engulfing Facebook Inc. continues to deepen, drawing the ire of politicians on both sides of the Atlantic. Investor focus now turns to Jerome Powell’s first FOMC meeting as chairman; the jury is still out on whether the central bank will lift its projections for the pace of policy tightening this year.
Here’s what you should be watching in Wednesday’s Fed decision
Investors are also waiting to see any reaction from China in the face of U.S. tariffs expected to be imposed as soon as this week, as well as another U.S. government shutdown that is looming.
Elsewhere, the U.K. currency was little changed after falling on data that showed the nation’s inflation rate fell more than expected in February. Gold inched higher and iron ore climbed.
Here are some key events on the schedule this week:
The Fed decision and Jerome Powell’s news conference come on Wednesday. The Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates and its asset-purchase program unchanged on Thursday. Attention will be on language and the odds for a May hike. New Zealand has a monetary policy decision Thursday. Company earnings scheduled for this week include Tencent, Hermes, PetroChina and Nike.
And these are the main moves in markets: Stocks
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 0.2 percent. South Korea’s Kospi index was little changed. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was up 1 percent. The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.4 percent. S&P 500 Index futures added less than 0.1 percent as of 2:05 p.m. in Hong Kong.
Currencies
The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index fell 0.2 percent. The euro rose 0.2 percent to $1.2265. The pound nudged 0.1 percent higher to $1.4009. The yen added 0.1 percent to 106.45 per dollar.
Bonds
The yield on 10-year Treasuries rose four basis points to 2.90 percent Tuesday. Treasuries will resume trading in London because of the Japan holiday. Australia’s 10-year yield was steady at 2.70 percent.
Commodities
West Texas Intermediate crude built on a 2.2 percent advance to gain 0.1 percent to $63.61 a barrel. Gold rose 0.2 percent to $1,313.43 an ounce.