Asian markets mixed as traders eye US data ahead of Fed decision

[HONG KONG] Asian equities were mixed on Monday (Dec 1) with investors awaiting the release of key US data that could play a role in Federal Reserve deliberations ahead of an expected interest rate cut next week.

After November’s end-of-month rebound across world markets, confidence remains high amid speculation the US central bank could continue easing monetary policy into the new year.

That has helped overcome lingering worries about an AI-fuelled tech bubble that some observers warn could pop and lead to a painful correction.

While the odds on a third successive rate reduction on Dec 10 are hovering around 90 per cent, traders will keep a close eye on this week’s batch of indicators to gauge the Fed’s desire to keep on cutting.

Among the reports due for release are private jobs creation, services activity and personal consumption expenditure – the Fed’s preferred gauge of inflation.

Bets on a cut surged in late November after several of the bank’s policymakers said they backed lower borrowing costs as they were more concerned about the flagging labour market than stubbornly high inflation.

That helped markets recover the losses sustained in the first half of the month, and analysts said they could be in store for an end-of-year rally.

“As the clouds of worry that cast an ominous shadow over markets through to mid-November gently dissipate, they give way to new emotions – notably the fear of not participating and the risk of underperforming benchmark targets,” said Pepperstone’s Chris Weston.

However, he warned that “risk managers remain highly astute to the landmines that could still derail the improving risk backdrop to December”.

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He cited the possibility that the Fed does not cut, or offers a “hawkish cut”, the Supreme Court’s possible decision on the legality of US President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs, and jobs and inflation data.

Meanwhile, reports that Trump’s top economic adviser Kevin Hassett – a proponent of rate cuts – is the frontrunner to take the helm at the Fed next year added to the upbeat mood.

After last week’s healthy gains and Wall Street’s strong Thanksgiving rally, Asian equities were mixed.

Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Manila rose, but Sydney, Seoul, Wellington and Taipei dipped.

Tokyo sank more than one per cent as the yen strengthened on expectations that the Bank of Japan will lift interest rates this month.

Governor Kazuo Ueda said it would “consider the pros and cons of raising the policy interest rate and make decisions as appropriate”, with Bloomberg saying traders saw a more than 60 per cent chance of a move on Dec 19. That rose to 90 per cent for a hike no later than January.

Oil prices surged more than one per cent after Opec+ confirmed it would not hike output in the first three months of 2026.

Oil jumped after Opec+ confirmed it will stick with plans to pause production hikes during the first quarter, citing lower seasonal demand.

The decision comes amid uncertainty over the outlook for crude as traders look for indications of progress in Ukraine peace talks, which could lead to the return of Russian crude to markets. AFP