HALISTER1: INSIDE ASIA: Asian Currencies Rebound With Oil Prices; Yen Slips

INSIDE ASIA: Asian Currencies Rebound With Oil Prices; Yen Slips

(Bloomberg) -- Most Asian currencies swing into gains as oil prices surge on optimism a deal will be struck to freeze output, with the yen holding close to its strongest level in 15 months.
  • “Market sentiment improved on the back of rebounding oil prices and China’s Caixin PMI beating market expectations,” Gao Qi, forex strategist at Scotiabank, says in interview
    • Caixin China March Composite PMI rises to 51.3 from 49.4 in Feb., highest reading since April 2015
    • Won, Singapore dollar and ringgit all trade higher; oil is up 2.7% and Japan Nikkei 225 is headed for its first gain in seven days
  • Yen trades lower after reaching its strongest level in 1 1/2 yrs yesterday, with PM Abe telling WSJ that countries should avoid competitive devaluation of currencies
    • There’s a risk of further yen appreciation as immediate gov. measures to counter gains are uncertain, according to Masafumi Yamamoto at Mizuho Securities
  • Ringgit leads gains among Asian currencies; Feb. exports probably rose 2.9% y/ after contracting 2.8% y/y in Jan., according to median est. in Bloomberg survey; data due at noon local time
  • Won rebounds; Korean rate cuts are seen getting delayed as swap traders now see 64% chance of Bank of Korea lowering its benchmark rate within the next three months, from 88% in mid-Feb.
    • South Korean authorities are closely monitoring FX market and will take measures if needed, Yonhap Infomax reports, citing Finance Minister Yoo Il Ho
  • PBOC sets reference rate 0.14% lower at 6.4754, second day of weaker fixing, with onshore yuan slipping
    • USD/CNY gains limited as yuan needs to retain some strength against currency basket, Maybank says in note today
  • Singapore dollar rebounds, set to snap three days of losses
  • Australian sovereign bond prices rise; RBA Asst. Gov Kent speaks at 5:40 pm local time in Hobart
  • Peso steady; international investors sold net $8.8m of local equities yesterday, biggest one-day outflow since Feb. 29: exchange data
  • U.S. Treasuries dropped, with yield on 10-year bonds up 2 bps to 1.741%; minutes from U.S. March 15-16 FOMC minutes due today
  • Thailand markets are closed for holiday
Alert: HALISTER1
Source: BFW (Bloomberg First Word)

People
Masafumi Yamamoto (Mizuho Financial Group Inc)
Qi Gao (Bank of Nova Scotia/The)

To de-activate this alert, click here

UUID: 7947283

HALISTER: Pfizer Said to Terminate $160 Billion Merger With Allergan

Pfizer Said to Terminate $160 Billion Merger With Allergan

(Bloomberg) -- Pfizer decided to terminate its $160 billion merger with Allergan, a person with knowledge of the matter said.
  • Pfizer will need to pay a $400m fee to Allergan for expenses relating to the deal, the person said, asking not to be identified as the information is private
  • Representatives for Pfizer and Allergan declined to comment
  • CNBC reported earlier that the companies were scrapping the merger, without naming its sources
Alert: HALISTER
Source: BFW (Bloomberg First Word)

Tickers
PFE US (Pfizer Inc)
AGN US (Allergan plc)

To de-activate this alert, click here

UUID: 7947283

HALISTER: Pfizer, Allergan Said to Mutually End Merger Pact: CNBC

Pfizer, Allergan Said to Mutually End Merger Pact: CNBC

(Bloomberg) -- To mutually end merger tomorrow morning, CNBC says on Twitter, citing unidentified people familiar.
  • NOTE: Pfizer Said to Scramble to Save Allergan Deal Amid Tax Risk
Alert: HALISTER
Source: BFW (Bloomberg First Word)

Tickers
PFE US (Pfizer Inc)
AGN US (Allergan plc)

To de-activate this alert, click here

UUID: 7947283

HALISTER1: China Forex Losses Jump 13-Fold as Investors Brace for More (1)

China Forex Losses Jump 13-Fold as Investors Brace for More (1)

Alert: HALISTER1
Source: BN (Bloomberg News)

People
Cheng Shi (Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd)
Fong Kar (HengTen Networks Group Ltd)
Li Feilong (China Oilfield Services Ltd)
Raymond Chia (Schroders PLC)
Raymond Yeung (Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd)

To de-activate this alert, click here
To modify this alert, click here

UUID: 7947283