Asia stocks try tentative rally, Fed in no rush to taper

SYDNEY: Asian shares managed a modest bounce on Thursday as the U.S. Federal Reserve signalled it was in no rush to taper stimulus, though the mood was fragile as investors waited to see if Beijing could stem the recent rout in Chinese shares.

Asian stock markets: https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4

There was also some promising news on the long-awaited U.S. infrastructure bill as the Senate voted to move ahead on the US$1.2 trillion deal.

China's markets edged higher amid reports regulators had called banks overnight to ease concerns about tighter rules on the education sector and on overseas listings.

"The message is that profit has not become a dirty word in the Chinese system of 'Socialism with Chinese characteristics', only in certain sectors," said Ray Attrill, head of FX strategy at NAB.

"How successful the messaging by the authorities will be in putting a floor under the broader Chinese stock market remains to be seen."

For now, gains were tentative with blue-chip shares up 1.6per cent, but still down 5per cent for the week so far, while the Shanghai Composite Index added 1.2per cent.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan bounced 1.9per cent, having slid to its lowest since early December on Wednesday. Japan's Nikkei edged up 0.6per cent, while South Korea was flat.

S&P 500 futures eased 0.1per cent, as did EUROSTOXX 50 futures. Nasdaq futures dipped 0.3per cent perhaps weighed by a retreat in Facebook stock.

Facebook Inc shed 3.5per cent after the company warned revenue growth would "decelerate significantly," even as it reported strong ad sales.

Markets had see-sawed overnight when the Federal Reserve policy statement said "progress" had been made toward its economic goals, seeming to bring nearer the day when it might start tapering its massive asset buying campaign.

Data due later Thursday is expected to show the U.S. economy likely grew at the fastest pace in 38 years last quarter as government aid and vaccinations fuelled spending.

However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell took a dovish turn by emphasising that they were "some ways away" from substantial progress on jobs that is needed to start tapering.

"The difference in tone between the statement and press conference may simply reflect Powell being on the dovish side of the Committee," said JPMorgan economist Michael Feroli.

"In any event, there are three more job reports before the November meeting, and two more between the November and December meetings," he added. "We continue to expect a December announcement, though we see a risk it could occur in November."

The next Fed meeting is not until late September, offering the market a break from tapering talk.

For bonds, the net result was that U.S. 10-year yields were steady at 1.24per cent, not far from recent five-month lows of 1.128per cent.

The pattern was the same for the dollar, which edged up on the FOMC statement only to flag on Powell's remarks.

That left the euro up at US$1.1855, and some way from its recent four-month trough of US$1.1750.

The dollar faded to 109.75 yen, from a top of 110.58 early in the week. All of which saw the dollar index dip to 92.157, off its recent top at 93.194.

In commodity markets, gold nudged up to US$1,815 an ounce but remains in the US$30 range of the past 17 sessions.

Oil prices firmed after data showed U.S. crude inventories fell to pre-pandemic levels, bringing the market's focus back to tight supplies rather than rising COVID-19 infections.

Brent was last up 26 cents at US$75.00 a barrel, while U.S. crude added 28 cents to US$72.67.

(Editing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa & Simon Cameron-Moore)