Halister News

(Bloomberg) -- Yen weakens against dollar as Bank of Japan Governor Kuroda says central bank will examine risks and won’t hesitate to act if needed. Won maintains 5-day winning streak even after report North Korea fires short-range missiles into East Sea.

• Japan’s 20-year govt bonds extend gains; BOJ deputy governor Nakaso says negative rate strategy will accelerate process to end deflation
  • Japanese top FX official Masatsugu Asakawa told Jiji Press yday yen wasn’t discussed at G-20 gathering last month; nation’s investors bought net 933.8b yen ($8.2b) overseas debt last week: Ministry of Finance
• Won strengthens; South Korea’s consumer prices increased 1.3% in February from year earlier, versus est. 0.9% gain; nation to closely monitor possible impact from North Korea’s reckless provocations while impact on economy limited so far, Finance Minister Yoo says; Chinese visitors to South Korea increased 10% on year in Feb.
• Aussie rises versus dollar; Australia posted trade deficit of A$2.94b in January, less than estimate A$3.2b shortfall; services index rose to 51.8 in February from 48.4 prior month
• Kiwi gains; NZ commodity prices increased for the first time in four month in Feb. with 0.4% advance
• Yuan strengthens; Caixin China February services PMI came in at 51.2 vs 52.4 in Jan.; country has sufficient policy tools to ensure medium-to-high-speed economic growth, China Securities Journal says
• Ringgit advances most among Asian currencies; former Malaysian premier Mahathir will lead a people’s movement to force current Prime Minister Najib to step down, Malaysian Insider news website says
• U.S. Treasuries little changed, with yield on 10-year bonds at 1.846%; Jan. factory orders due today, est. 2.1% m/m vs prev. -2.9%: Bloomberg survey