NASDAQ 100, S&P 500, ASX 200, US STIMULUS, COVID VACCINE – ASIA PACIFIC INDICES BRIEFING...
- Nasdaq 100, S&P 500 hit new all-time highs on vaccine, stimulus bets
- APAC equities could rise, Chinese CPI may dim PBOC normalization
- ASX 200 pushing for a key resistance break, but momentum is fading
WALL STREET TRADING SESSION RECAP
Following a mixed European session, equities pushed higher during Tuesday’s Wall Street trading hours. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (+0.50%) outperformed the S&P 500 (+0.28%), both hitting new all-time highs as the Dow Jones rose 0.35%. The VIX market ‘fear gauge’ declined towards lows seen at the end of November, signaling fading prospects of volatility despite recent surges in coronavirus cases.
Sentiment was bolstered by a couple of developments. First, there were rising prospects of a Covid vaccine rollout in the US. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that the vaccine by Pfizer and partner BioNTech met expectations of the agency’s guidance. It was about 95 percent effective in preventing the disease as well as found safe. That may open the door to emergency authorization use soon.
Stimulus bets was another driver of the rosy mood. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell opened the door to setting aside business liability protections if Democrats drop demands for state government aid in the $908 billion bipartisan bill. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin presented a separate $916b stimulus pitch on the behalf of the Trump Administration that includes state aid and $600 checks per eligible adult.
Taking a look at sectoral performance in the Dow Jones, 80% of constituents closed higher. The top 3 performing sectors were materials (+2.52%), energy (+0.86%) and health care (+0.71%). Meanwhile, the worst-performing one was consumer discretionary (-0.17%).
DOW JONES SECTORAL PERFORMANCE
Data Source: Bloomberg
NASDAQ 100 TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
Nasdaq 100 futures extended gains, pushing above the 12197 – 12465 resistance zone. That has exposed the 38.20% Fibonacci extension at 12886. Maintaining the focus to the upside is a short-term rising trendline from late October. In the event of a material turn lower, keep a close eye on the medium-term 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA).
{{SENTIMENT|Learn how to use sentiment in your trading strategy}}NASDAQ 100 FUTURES – DAILY CHART
WEDNESDAY’S ASIA PACIFIC TRADING SESSION – ASX 200, NIKKEI 225, KOSPI, CHINESE CPI
Asia Pacific equities are trading broadly higher during morning Wednesday trade, following the rosy lead from Wall Street. Dow Jones and S&P 500 futures are also rising. As such, regional equities such as Australia’s ASX 200 and Japan’s Nikkei 225 may extend gains. South Korea’s Kospi index is attempting to recover Tuesday’s 1.62% drop which may have been as a result of profit-taking following persistent gains.
Reports crossed the wires that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Mnuchin’s proposed plan was ‘unacceptable’. For now, traders seem to be focused on the bipartisan relief bill as well as Covid vaccine distribution. This update may come back into play down the road if more gridlock delays much-needed fiscal support.
Chinese CPI turned negative both y/y and m/m in November, the first time since 2009. That has poured cold water on PBOC normalization bets which may offer a boost to the Shanghai Composite and CSI 300. Later today, Canada’s TSX Composite index is eyeing the BoC rate decision. For more data, check out the DailyFX economic calendar.
