Asian markets mixed ahead of key Fed meeting

The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates after its meeting but traders are hoping for clues about future moves. (Photo: AFP/Brendan Smialowski)

Crude prices tumbled on Tuesday and were almost unchanged in Asia following news that Riyadh will get its two major installations back online earlier than expected, though analysts said there was nervousness on trading floors about oil security in the future.

With fears low for now of a military retaliation against Iran - accused of being behind the strikes - focus is now on the Fed, which is expected to cut interest rates while its post-meeting statement will be closely followed for clues about future plans.

Global markets have spent most of this month rising on bets that central banks, led by the Fed, will move to a softer monetary policy to offset a slowdown in most economies exacerbated by the China-US trade war.

"A rate cut of 25 basis points is universally regarded as a done deal by global markets," said OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley.

"What will be closely watched is the press conference 30 minutes later, where we will gain more clarity as to whether the Fed has moved to an explicit easing bias.

"The likelihood of a shift from neutral to easing will be high as the (policy board) will not be able to ignore the storm cloud around the rest of the world that must eventually start raining on the United States."

Oxford Economics estimates the Fed will cut three more times this year, which would erase all its 2018 rate hikes.

The Fed has been forced to pump more than US$100 billion into US financial markets owing to a tightening of liquidity that had seen short-term lending rates spike for companies.

Equity traders shifted cautiously with Asian markets struggling for traction.

Hong Kong was 0.1 per cent off, while Tokyo finished 0.2 per cent down after a 10-day winning streak. Sydney slipped 0.2 per cent and Singapore fell 0.5 per cent with Manila and Bangkok also off.

But Shanghai ended up 0.3 per cent, Seoul added 0.4 per cent and Taipei rose 0.5 per cent, while Mumbai and Jakarta also rose.

EYES ON POMPEO

Dealers have been given some optimism by the US and China's resumption of trade negotiations next month, with a delegation from Beijing reportedly visiting Washington this week for preparatory talks.

However, there are fresh worries about the impact on the already stuttering world economy from the Saudi oil attacks on Saturday.

While the resumption of output from the world's biggest exporter provided some much-needed relief, observers said long-term energy security is now a concern.

"Restoring production may placate global investors' immediate economic concerns, but that's only half the problem as the attacks exposed some significant vulnerabilities," said Stephen Innes at AxiTrader.

"None more so than just how inadequately prepared the markets are for disruptions of this magnitude which suggest that the supply risk premium could stick around well after production is restored."

Eyes are on US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who departed for Saudi Arabia Tuesday to discuss possible retaliation, while Vice President Mike Pence said: "As the president said, we don't want war with anybody but the United States is prepared."

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP the White House has concluded the attack - claimed by Huthi rebels in Yemen - involved cruise missiles from Iran and that evidence would be presented at the UN General Assembly next week.

Daniel Hynes, a senior commodity strategist at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, warned investors could be in for more shocks.

"The market is certainly setting itself up for a surprise, considering they aren't really pricing in that geopolitical risk premium at the moment."

In early trade London and Frankfurt were both flat, while Paris edged up 0.1 per cent.

- Key figures around 0810 GMT -

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.2 per cent at 21,960.71 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: DOWN 0.1 at 26,754.12 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.3 per cent at 2,985.66 (close)

London - FTSE 100: FLAT at 7,322.31

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 14 cents at US$59.20 per barrel

Brent North Sea crude: UP 11 cents at US$64.66 per barrel

Euro/dollar: DOWN at US$1.1054 from US$1.1071 at 2100 GMT

Dollar/yen: UP at ¥108.18 from ¥108.13

Pound/dollar: DOWN at US$1.2475 from US$1.2497

Euro/pound: DOWN at 88.61 pence from 88.57 pence

New York - Dow: UP 0.1 per cent at 27,110.80 (close)