Asian Stocks Retreat as BOJ Eyes 1% Rate Hike and Iran Deal Relief Fades
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 16
Asian Stocks Retreat as BOJ Eyes 1% Rate Hike and Iran Deal Relief Fades
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 16
Summary
Asian equities lost momentum Tuesday, with MSCI’s Asia-Pacific ex-Japan index turning flat and Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipping 0.3% after an early rally faded.
Investors shifted from Monday’s relief over a preliminary U.S.-Iran peace deal to looming central bank decisions, with the Bank of Japan expected to lift rates to 1% and the RBA seen holding steady.
Hong Kong shares weighed on the regional benchmark after weaker-than-expected China retail sales and fixed-asset investment data added to the cautious tone.
Oil reflected that restraint: Brent edged up just 0.1% to $83.25 after hitting a three-month low, while shippers said confidence in resuming Hormuz transit could take weeks.
The pullback followed a strong Wall Street session in which the S&P 500 rose 1.7% and the Nasdaq 3.1%, underscoring doubts about how durable the Iran deal will prove.