Thursday, April 26, 2012

20120426 1828 FCPO EOD Daily Chart Study.


FCPO closed : 3500, changed : -11 points, volume : higher.
Bollinger band reading : side way range bound.
MACD Histogram : recovering, buyer seller battling.
Support : 3470, 3450, 3420, 3380 level.
Resistance : 3500, 3550, 3620, 3650 level.
Comment :
FCPO closed little lower with increasing volume traded. Soy oil price trading little higher after overnight closed recorded gain while crude oil price also edging higher.
Price trading mostly in negative territory through out the day on slowing global economy concern and anticipation of improving crude palm oil production ahead despite lower soybean crop development over South America.
Technical chart reading stayed suggesting a side way range bound market development.
When to buy : buy at support or weakness with quick cut loss and profit target.
When to sell : sell at resistant or strength with quick cut loss and profit target.

20120426 1739 FKLI EOD Daily Chart Study.

FKLI closed : 1574.5 changed : -2 points, volume : lower.
Bollinger band reading : pullback correction downside biased.
MACD Histogram : falling lower, seller taking exposure.
Support : 1570, 1565, 1550, 1540 level.
Resistance : 1580, 1590, 1595, 1600 level.
Comment :
FKLI closed little lower with declined volume transacted doing 5 points discount compare to cash market that closed marginaly higher. Overnight U.S. markets closed higher and today Asia markets also ended recorded gains while European markets trading higher.
Global markets rise after overnight U.S. Federal Reserve statement that they are prepared to provide more stimulus measure if needed and some global company earnings report beat estimates. Having said that, China market ended lower as lower corporate earnings concern overshadow positive news from the U.S.
Daily chart analysis adjusted to suggesting a pullback correction downside biased market development.
When to buy : buy at support or weakness with quick cut loss and profit target.
When to sell : sell at resistance or strength with quick cut loss and profit target.

20120426 1700 Regional Markets EOD Daily Chart Study.

 DJIA chart reading : side way range bound.
 Hang Seng chart reading : side way range bound.
KLCI chart reading :  side way range bound little downside biased.

20120426 1624 Global Market & Commodities Related News.

Asian shares rose, retaining positive momentum as the Federal Reserve reassured markets that it will keep its very accommodative stance to support growth, while optimism grew over strong quarterly corporate earnings.  U.S. stocks rallied on Wednesday, with Apple's surge giving the  Nasdaq its biggest gain of the year, while the Fed chairman reassured markets that the central bank would do more if necessary to lift the economy.

The U.S. dollar floundered at three-week lows against a basket of major currencies, after the Federal Reserve did little to alter the perception that the central bank will be deeply committed to a dovish policy stance.

FOREX-Dollar near 3-week low as it falls prey to dovish Fed
TOKYO, April 26 (Reuters) - The U.S. dollar floundered at three-week lows against a basket of major currencies on Thursday, after the Federal Reserve did little to alter the perception that it remained deeply committed to a dovish policy stance.
"Despite its projections that GDP growth will pick up, the FOMC expects unemployment to remain well above target by the end of 2014. This means that there is scope for further monetary easing down the road, especially if the recovery falters," said Philip Marey, strategist at Rabobank.  

Morocco wheat harvest seen falling to near 3 mln T
Morocco's wheat harvest should stand at around 3 million tonnes this year, including 2 million tonnes of soft wheat, down sharply from a year earlier, the head of the country's agriculture industry group said on Wednesday.

U.S. soybeans slid half a percent as the market took a breather after rallying to its highest in almost four years on the back of further crop losses in South America and strong Chinese demand.

Brazil '12/13 sugar output seen up at 37.8 mln T-Job Economy
Brazil's total sugar output for the 2012/13 harvest, which will kick off in coming days, will reach 37.8 million tonnes, up from 36.2 million tonnes the season that ended in March, local sugar analysts Job Economy said on Wednesday.

Brent crude was steady around $119 a barrel, as optimism over a recovery in the U.S economy offset easing concerns of a disruption in Iranian oil exports and high U.S. crude stocks.

Japan's crude imports from Iran drop 6.3 pct y/y in March
Japan's customs-cleared crude imports from Iran fell 6.3 percent in March from a year ago, amid tightening Western sanctions that make it difficult to do business with the Islamic Republic.

China Aviation Oil seeks up to 1.4 mil barrels jet fuel -trade
China Aviation Oil (Singapore)  is seeking up to 1.4 million barrels of jet fuel for May and June, with a slight spike in purchases in May, industry sources said.

Japan imports LNG from Belgium for 1st time
Japan, the world's top user of liquefied natural gas (LNG), in March imported LNG for the first time from Belgium, customs-cleared data from the Ministry of Finance showed on Thursday.

COLUMN-China's copper imports; should we be worried?
--Andy Home is a Reuters columnist. The opinions expressed are his own--
LONDON, April 25 (Reuters) - The intensity of China's appetite for imported copper is once again the defining feature of the global market.  
Chinese buyers' absence from the spot market is all too evident.  
The arbitrage between Shanghai and London has been deeply import-negative for many weeks. Physical premiums for metal in Shanghai have been soft, lower indeed than those for metal in recessionary Western Europe.  

China daily steel output above 2 mln T in mid-April - CISA data
China's daily crude steel output remained above 2 million tonnes tonnes in the second 10 days of April, industry data showed on Thursday, as steelmakers sustained high output amid a seasonal rebound in demand.

China to close 8.5 mln tonnes of steel, copper capacity in 2012
BEIJING, April 26 (Reuters) - China aims to shut down 7.8 million tonnes of steelmaking capacity and 700,000 tonnes of copper smelting capacity this year, the industry ministry said on Thursday, as part of its efforts to reduce pollution.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said in a statement that it also aims to close 270,000 tonnes of aluminium capacity in 2012.

LME proposes warehouses deliver 60 tonnes tin, nickel
The London Metal Exchange is proposing that warehousing companies ensure their minimum daily nickel and tin deliveries are at least 60 tonnes, the exchange said on Wednesday.

London copper edged lower, unimpressed by the U.S. Federal Reserve's reassurance on the chance of more monetary stimulus, as the market was torn between a lackluster picture of demand from top consumer China and a squeeze in London.

Gold held above $1,644 after the U.S. Federal Reserve's meeting on interest rates offered few surprises, but gains in equities and expectations the central bank could do more if necessary to lift the economy may eventually spur buying from investors.  

METALS-London copper edges down, shrugging off Fed comments
SINGAPORE, April 26 (Reuters) - London copper edged lower unimpressed by the U.S. Federal Reserve's reassurance on the chance of more monetary stimulus, as the market was torn between a lackluster picture of demand from top consumer China and a squeeze in London.
"Bernanke's comments on the possibility of QE3 (the third round of quantitative easing) is biased towards being bullish for copper, but its effect is rather limited after the prospects of more QE have been diminishing over the past month or two," said Fang Junfeng, an analyst at Shanghai CIFCO Futures.

PRECIOUS-Gold stuck in range after Fed, equities curb losses
SINGAPORE, April 26 (Reuters) - Gold held above $1,644 after the U.S. Federal Reserve's meeting on interest rates offered few surprises, but gains in equities and expectations the central bank could do more if necessary to lift the economy may eventually spur buying from investors.  
"I think going forward, gold will probably trade in the direction of where the macro-economy is going. If we hear fresh news from the euro zone that the debt crisis is reemerging, then we could see some safe have demand," said Lynette Tan, an analyst with Phillip Futures.  

20120426 1104 Global Market & Commodities Related News.

GLOBAL MARKETS-Fed's reassurance, earnings optimism lift shares
TOKYO, April 26 (Reuters) - Asian shares gained on Thursday, retaining positive momentum as the Federal Reserve reassured markets that it will keep its very accommodative stance to support growth, and optimism grew over strong corporate earnings after Apple Inc's robust results.
"The totality of all new Fed communications ... have reinforced the idea that the policy bias is currently neutral and that the outlook remains highly dependent on incoming data," said Societe Generale in a note.

COMMODITIES-Oil up despite high supply; cattle ignore mad cow
NEW YORK, April 25 (Reuters) - Oil markets rose on Wednesday despite an increase in U.S. crude supplies and cattle prices recovered from a sell-off sparked by mad cow disease, but early strength in the dollar restrained commodities as a whole.  
"Oil got support from equities, which are on a rally mode," said Hamza Khan, analyst at the SchorkGroup in Villanova, Pennsylvania.

Exports gobble up U.S. Gulf diesel stocks
--Robert Campbell is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own--
NEW YORK, April 25 (Reuters) - Stocks of distillate fuel on the U.S. Gulf Coast are tight and getting tighter as strong demand from overseas markets drains inventories even as overall production has risen.
For the first 15 weeks of the year, U.S. Gulf Coast distillate fuel stocks are down 5.36 million barrels, at an average pace of 357,000 barrels a week.

Japan's Iran crude imports fall 6.3 pct yr/yr in March
TOKYO, April 26 (Reuters) - Japan's customs-cleared crude imports from Iran fell 6.3 percent in March from a year earlier to 1,751,737 kilolitres (355,400 barrels per day), Ministry of Finance data showed on Thursday.
March imports from Iran rose 41.9 percent from February's 1,234,082 kl (267,700 bpd).

Libya's biggest oil refinery faces restart delay
LONDON, April 25 (Reuters) - Libya's largest refinery, 220,000 barrels per day (bpd) Ras Lanuf, is unlikely to restart for another month or more until after a meeting between board members and shareholders, an official at the refinery operator Libyan Emirati Refining Co (Lerco) told Reuters.
Lerco is a joint-venture between Libya's state oil company National Oil Corporation (NOC) and UAE-based Al Ghurair group.  

Oil gains with Wall St, shrugs off US stock build
NEW YORK, April 25 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose in choppy trading o n W ednesday, with Brent closing at its highest in eight days, as a rally in equity markets fueled partly by Federal Reserve comments outweighed a fifth straight weekly increase in U.S. crude stockpiles.
"Oil got support from equities, which are on a rally mode and as support that developed after the day's lows at around $103 (for U.S. crude) was not violated," said Hamza Khan, analyst at the Schork Group in Villanova, Pennsylvania.

NATURAL GAS - US natgas futures spike 5 pct on demand, supply cut talk
NEW YORK, April 25 (Reuters) - U.S. natural gas futures shot up sharply on Wednesday as stronger demand and talk of supply cuts from Canada's largest gas producer stirred buying despite milder extended weather forecasts and concerns about record-high supplies.
"There is current weakness in market fundamentals due to an oversupply of natural gas and it is clear that a continued reduction of drilling activity will be required to restore market balance," the company said in a statement.

20120426 1053 Malaysia Corporate Related News.

Felda downsizes listing plans
The much-awaited public offering of Felda Global Ventures Holdings Berhad (FGVHB) will proceed without Koperasi Permodalan Felda (KPF), a move investment analysts said will scale down the planned IPO of the plantation grouping that produces 8% of the global palm oil output. Under the listing plan unveiled yesterday, Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohamed Isa Abdul Samad said KPF, a cooperative comprising Felda employees and settlers, will not participate directly in the listing of FGVHB, which is set for late next month or early June. (Financial Daily)

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin has refuted allegations that the comprehensive collaboration framework (CCF) between Malaysia Airline (MAS) and AirAsia is one-sided. The CCF is part of MAS’ recovery plan to improve its operations and finances and become a premier airline. It is not a merger but a strategic collaboration to explore mutually beneficial opportunities and give a new lease of life to MAS. (Financial Daily)

Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) chairman Tan Sri Siti Norma Yaakob confirmed that its probe into the Malaysia Airlines-AirAsia share swap was still ongoing. “Yes, we have got some of the information, but it’s not enough. We will be the first to tell you once we’ve reached a decision, but I can’t say when that will be,” she said. Siti Norma said the air transport review, which had since been concluded, was a preliminary analysis as a reference to understand the mechanics of the industry. (Star Biz)

TH Plantations Bhd's acquisition of a total of 19,000ha in Sarawak and East Kalimantan for RM93m is expected to be completed by the third quarter this year. Its chief executive officer and executive director Datuk Zainal Azwar Zainal Aminuddin said the group's total land bank would be more than 59,000ha after the acquisition and would transform the company into a mid-size plantation company. "We are exploring to add another 20,000ha in three years. At the moment, we are scouting for land in Sarawak as well as Kalimantan," he said. (StarBiz)

New Britain Palm Oil Ltd has ceased to be a subsidiary of Kulim (M) Bhd after the former issued 33.3m shares to The Independent Public Business Corp of Papua New Guinea for the acquisition of the remaining 20% state in Kula Palm Oil Ltd. Kulim said its stake in New Britain has been reduce to 49.54% following the issuance, from 50.68% previously. (StarBiz)

Malaysia's financial system can raise the required financing to support the KVMRT, Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz said. Despite the “massive funds” needed for the project, she cited Projek Lebuhraya Usahasama Bhd's RM30.6bn sukuk issuance in January as proof the capital market could stomach that level of fund-raising. “We were invited to give our views and proposals on how this (KVMRT) could be financed and I believe there are innovative ways (to do it). Of course, all these projects need to be staggered and not happen at the same time,” she said. She added that if the various infrastructure projects mooted under the ETP were well-managed, there would be ample liquidity and finance to go around. Dana Infra Nasional Bhd, a special unit of the MOF would be making issuances worth RM8bn of sukuk bonds for KVMRT in 2H12. A larger tranche of bonds would be raised in 2013 bringing the total amount to between RM20-30bn. (Starbiz)

Private equity fund Navis has made an unconditional general offer for education group SEG International Bhd (SEGi), with plans to subsequently take the company private. Navis, via Pinnacle Heritage Solutions Sdn Bhd, is acting in concert with SEGi's largest shareholder, Datuk Seri Clement Hii Chii Kok@Hii Chee Kok. They are offering RM1.714 for each SEGi share and RM1.214 for each SEGi warrant. They have valued the group at RM1.19b. However, Navis' offer price per share is at a 5.5% discount to SEGi's closing price of RM1.81. The warrants were last traded at RM1.26. Asia Fund V1 GP Ltd and Navis MGO 1 GP Ltd are the ultimate shareholders of Pinnacle. Pinnacle has been steadily accumulating shares of SEGi since March 29 this year, at the same offer price it is making for the remaining shares and warrants. In a statement to Bursa Malaysia, SEGi said Pinnacle and Hii, as of yesterday, collectively owned 57.62% of of company's stake (excluding the warrants), thus triggering a mandatory general offer. (BT)

KUB Malaysia Bhd has no plans to sell off its fast-food restaurant franchise business, A&W Malaysia, an industry source said Wednesday. It was reported recently that the company would be disposing of 45% equity in the fast-food restaurant business to Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas). "The plan to sell A&W was made under the previous CEO. The plan is no longer valid now. It is now a matter of correcting the strategy in taking the business to new heights," the source said. According to the source, KUB in fact has plans to develop the A&W Malaysia fast-food restaurant business under its present Group Managing Director Datuk Wan Mohd Nor. He is expected to unveil his business plans soon to take the company to greater heights. KUB is the licensee of A&W in Thailand and Malaysia since 2002. Currently, it has 45 outlets in Malaysia and 43 in Thailand. (Bernama)

Sources tell that Ramunia Holdings has received a notice for a letter of intent from Shell for fabrication works worth RM170m. However, the offer could be conditional upon Ramunia possessing its own fabrication yard. Ramunia will have to expedite its acquisition of the fabrication yard in Pulau Indah from Oilfab Sdn Bhd. Thus, the proposed rights issue is essential to raise cash. (Financial Daily)

Nigeria wants national oil company Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) to resume exploring oil and gas in the country. Nigerian foreign minister Mohamed Bazoum said he will write a formal letter to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to urge Petronas to make a comeback to the the country after nearly an 8-year lapse. Nigeria has been known for many years to have oil reserves embedded in her soil, although the proven reserves have not been technically or fully ascertained until recently. (BT)

Privasia Technology Bhd has bagged a RM12.8m contract from the Malacca state government to install a complete fibre optic network in the state. The project, expected to be completed by September this year, is expected to contribute positively to its profitability in 2012. Privasia's projects include the installation of a high speed broadband network in Kuantan, Pahang and a WiFi rollout plan for Perak. The National Broadband Initiative, Malaysia's broadband household penetration rate as at January 2012 was at 62.3%. (BT)

After its sales in Indonesia more than tripled in 2011, Yeo Hiap Seng Bhd (YHS) expects revenue from Indonesia to surpass that of Malaysia. "The Indonesian market potential is very, very huge. We are only scratching the surface of Indonesia," chief operating officer Ong Chay Seng said. The strong growth in Indonesia came after YHS successfully re-launched its products there following the issuance of new registration numbers for the import of food. In late 2009, YHS suffered a setback when Indonesian authorities cancelled 15 registration numbers. YHS will also start investing in PET production lines for its Asian drinks soon, which would give it the option to package its Asian drinks in plastic bottles, said Ong. (Financial Daily)

Ingress Corporation Bhd’s subsidiary in Indonesia, PT Ingress Malindo Ventures, has been awarded a RM26.6m contract to supply door sash parts for a new Honda model by PT Honda Prospect Motor. The five-year project to supply the parts would start within the first quarter of financial year ending January 31 2014. “The project is forecast to generate total revenue for Ingress of approximately RM26.6m (for the five year duration of the project) whilst the total investment is expected to cost RM14mn,” it said. (BT)

Mudajaya clarifies on coal worries
Mudajaya Group has assured that it would be able to secure the coal it needs for its power plants in India, quelling concerns that its plants could be left idle. “The Indian government would ensure that the independent power producers (IPP) would get their supply of coal. Already there is a shortfall of power in India,” said Mudajaya managing director Anto Joseph in a briefing yesterday. (Financial Daily)

Iskandar Investment, MCT Group in tie-up
Iskandar Investment has entered into a collaboration agreement with MCT Group to develop properties in Medini Iskandar, Nusajaya. Medini Iskandar is a urban development project within the Nusajaya development zone. Under the agreement, MCT intends to develop buildings comprising of SoHo/studio units, a hotel and a boutique retail gallery there. Iskandar Investment president and CEO Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Ibrahim said MCT’s presence will complement efforts in the transformation of Medini Iskandar into the central business district of Nusajaya. (Financial Daily)

Ramunia closing in on RM150m Shell deal
Ramunia Holdings, an oil and gas company partly owned by Lembaga Tabung Haji, is close to securing a RM150m contract from a unit of Shell Malaysia, sources said yesterday. It is understood that the contract is from Shell Malaysia’s upstream operating company Sarawak Shell. Just two weeks ago, Shell Sarawak and its partner Petronas Carigali SB signed two new exploration and production sharing contracts (PSCs) offshore Sarawak with Petroliam Nasional. According to Shell, the minimum financial commitment for activities in the two blocks would be in the region of USD145m (RM444m) over the next four years. (BT)

Scomi eyes RM2.5bn job in Brazil
Scomi Engineering, a 67%-owned subsidiary of Scomi Group, is eyeing a new monorail project in Brazil, which is estimated to be worth more than RM2.5bn. While details on the project are sketchy, it is understood the 20km monorail job is in Sao Paulo. If awarded the contract, it would be the second monorail project for Scomi in Sao Paulo. Scomi had won two monorail projects in Brazil – in Sao Paulo and Manues – over the past year. They are worth a combined RM5.2bn. (BT)

DiGi earnings down but revenue rises
DiGi.Com posted a 3.3% drop in net profit to RM320.6m for the first quarter compared with the corresponding period a year ago. However, the company recorded a 9.6% increase in revenue to RM1.6bn in the quarter from RM1.4bn previously, driven mainly by data business which accounted for about 31% of total revenue. In another statement, DiGi also announced yesterday that its wholly-owned subsidiary DiGi Telecommunications SB would undertake a proposed capital reduction via par value reduction from RM1 to RM0.01 per share which will translate into RM495m proceeds. (StarBiz, Malaysian Reserve)

KUB not selling A&W franchise
KUB Malaysia has no plans to sell off its fast-food restaurant franchise business, A&W Malaysia, an industry source said. It was reported recently that the company would be disposing of 45% equity in the fast-food restaurant business to Ekuiti Nasional (Ekuinas). (StarBiz)


Ramunia closing in on RM150m Shell deal
Ramunia Holdings Bhd, an oil and gas company partly owned by Lembaga Tabung Haji, is close to securing a RM150 million contract from a unit of Shell Malaysia, sources said. It is understood that the contract is from Shell Malaysia’s upstream operating company Sarawak Shell Bhd. (Source: Business Times)

Proton: Most Preve buyers prefer turbo-equipped variants
Proton Holdings’ MD Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said over 73% of the bookings for Proton Holdings’ new model, Preve, are for the turbo variants. He said the strong demand for the turbo variants was driven by the interest of the public in performance cars. He said to-date, the national carmaker had received over 4,200 bookings for various variants of the Preve since booking opened last month. (Bernama)

Yeo Hiap Seng: Sales from Indonesia to surpass Malaysia
After its sales in Indonesia more than tripled in 2011, Yeo Hiap Seng (YHS) expects revenue from Indonesia to surpass that of Malaysia. YHS’s COO, Ong Chay Seng said that the Indonesia market potential is huge and will overtake Malaysia in contribution of revenue to the company due to the size of its population. (Financial Daily)

Banking: 11 banks join MyClear's RMB settlement services
11 banks have joined the Malaysian Electronic Clearing Corporation Sdn Bhd's (MyClear) Renminbi settlement services in the Real-time Electronic Transfer of Funds and Settlement System (RENTAS). They are Malayan Banking Bhd, CIMB Bank Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, RHB Bank Bhd, AmBank (M) Bhd, Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd, Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd, Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd  and OSK Investment Bank Bhd. MyClear said the service would enable trade settlements in renminbi between businesses in Malaysia and China, as well as Renminbi funds transfer. Financial institutions that joined before May 18 would enjoy the RMB RENTAS service fee waiver until Dec 31. (Bernama)

Government: 4 parties apply for exemption from Competition Act
4 parties from the logistics, insurance, and food industries have applied to Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) to be exempted from complying with the Competition Act 2010. The parties comprise one individual and 3 block applicants. The block applications came from 5 trade bodies – the Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM), Association of Malaysian Hauliers, a joint application by the Malaysian Shipowners Association, Shipping Association of Malaysia and Federation of Malaysian Port Operators Council. The sole individual applicant is Nestle Products Sdn Bhd. Under the Act, the onus is on the applicants to prove that their current commercial agreements or arrangements qualify to be exempted. (StarBiz)

20120426 1054 Local & Global Economy Related News.

Malaysia and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China yesterday signed the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income (DTAA Malaysia-Hong Kong). The agreement will also allow Malaysia and Hong Kong tax authorities to exchange taxpayers' information to prevent income tax avoidance and evasion. The DTAA Malaysia-Hong Kong will come into force after both sides completed the ratification procedures. (Bernama)

Eleven banks have joined the Malaysian Electronic Clearing Corporation Sdn Bhd's (MyClear) Renminbi settlement services in the Real-time Electronic Transfer of Funds and Settlement System (RENTAS). They are Malayan Banking Bhd, CIMB Bank Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, RHB Bank Bhd, AmBank (M) Bhd, Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd, Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd, Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd and OSK Investment Bank Bhd. Financial institutions that joined before 18 May would enjoy the RMB RENTAS service fee waiver until 31 Dec. (Bernama)

S&P has warned that Malaysia’s record spending binge, aimed at shoring up support before elections as early as next month, may risk the country’s first credit-rating downgrade since the Asian financial crisis. Moody’s and Fitch also said Malaysia must take steps to bring down its debt-to-GDP ratio, which the IMF projects may climb to a 20-year high of 55.9% this year. (Bloomberg)

Global food prices are rising again, pushed higher by costlier oil, strong demand from Asia and bad weather in parts of Europe, South America and the United States, the World Bank said. (Reuters)

China’s foreign reserves dropped by US$4.69bn from Feb to US$3.3tr in Mar due to losses in euro-denominated assets because the euro weakened against the US dollar. (China Daily)

Growth of China's tax revenues logged an increase of 10.3% yoy to Rmb2.59tr in 1Q12, pulling back 22.1% pt from the same period last year, as a result of the country's cooling economy. (Xinhua)

Non-performing loans in China's banking institutions dropped by 15.35% yoy down to Rmb1.05tr (US$166.47bn) as of the end of last year, due to government policies aimed at ensuring the strength of China's banking sector. (Global Times)

Japan’s total machine tool orders grew 1.6% yoy in Mar (-8.6% in Feb), whilst on a mom basis, the measure jumped 11.9% (5.7% in Feb). (Bloomberg)

Standard & Poor's cut its outlook on India's long-term sovereign rating from stable to negative, restating its rating of BBB- but warning of a one-in-three chance of a downgrade over the next 24 months “if the external position continues to deteriorate, growth prospects diminish, or progress on fiscal reforms remains slow in a weakened political setting.” (WSJ)

Philippines: Budget deficit in March as Aquino boosts spending
The Philippines reported a budget deficit in March, reversing a surplus the previous month, after the government stepped up spending to bolster the economy. The shortfall was PHP28.6bn (USD671m), compared with a previously reported PHP10.66bn-surplus for February. President Benigno Aquino plans to increase spending to a record this year while seeking USD16bn of investments in projects including mass rail systems and airports to boost growth. Government spending rose 15% in March while revenue climbed 7.7%. (Bloomberg)

South Korea: Economy expands at fastest pace in a year
South Korea’s economy expanded at the fastest pace in a year even as austerity measures in Europe and a slowdown in China cloud the outlook for exports. GDP rose 0.9% in the first quarter from the previous three months, when it gained 0.3%. The economy grew 2.8% y-o-y. Exports increased 3.4% in 1Q from 4Q2011, when overseas shipments declined 2.3%. Corporate investment in facilities rose 10.8% from 4Q2011, when it fell 4.3%, while government spending increased 3.1% after dropping 0.8%. Nonetheless, Bank of Korea governor Kim Chong Soo said last week that “downside risks are expected to remain high for some time” due to volatile oil prices and Europe’s sovereign-debt crisis. (Bloomberg)

UK: Succumbs to first double-dip recession since 1970s
The UK economy shrank in the first quarter as Britain slid into its first double-dip recession since the 1970s, forcing Prime Minister David Cameron to defend his spending cuts in Parliament. GDP fell 0.2% from 4Q2011, when it declined 0.3%. A technical recession is defined as two straight quarters of contraction. The economy was unchanged y-o-y. The quarterly drop in GDP was due to a 3% slump in construction, the most since the 1Q2009, and a 0.4% decline in industrial production. Manufacturing contracted 0.1% and services, the largest part of the economy, expanded by 0.1%, boosted by transport, storage and communication. The data contrasts with a gauge of factory optimism by the Confederation of British Industry showing confidence among manufacturers rose to the highest level in two years this month. The British Chambers of Commerce said the GDP data is likely to be revised higher by the statistics office. (Bloomberg)

ECB President Mario Draghi said euro-zone nations needed a "growth pact" to complement their existing agreements to enforce fiscal discipline, but gave nothing that suggested he would support loosening budget restrictions. (WSJ)


European Stocks Advance; Swedbank, Electrolux Rally(Source: Bloomberg)
European stocks advanced for a second day as companies from Apple Inc. to Swed bank AB and Electrolux AB reported earnings that beat estimates. The benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained 1 percent to 256.96 at the close of trading. The measure has advanced 5.1 percent this year as the European Central Bank disbursed more than 1 trillion euros ($1.3 trillion) to the region’s lenders to spur the availability of credit and boost the economy.



Stocks Advance on Earnings, Fed as Treasuries Trim Drop(Source: Bloomberg)
Stocks rose for a second day as earnings beat estimates at companies from Apple Inc. to Boeing Co., while Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said he remains prepared to do more to stimulate growth if needed. Treasuries pared earlier losses and the dollar weakened. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index jumped 1.4 percent to close at 1,390.69 at 4 p.m. in New York. The Nasdaq-100 Index rallied 2.7 percent, the most in 2012, with Apple surging 8.9 percent for its best gain in more than three years.

US: Drop in US durables orders masks investment gain

Orders for US durable goods fell in March by the most in three years, depressed by a pullback in demand for aircraft that masked gains in business investment. Bookings for goods meant to last at least three years dropped 4.2%. Sales of non-military capital equipment excluding planes, however, climbed for a second month. Demand for transportation equipment dropped 12.5%, led by a 48% plunge in civilian aircraft bookings. Bookings for automobiles and parts increased 0.1% after a 2% rise in February. Shipments of non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft, used in calculating GDP, increased 2.6% in March after rising 1.4% the previous month. (Bloomberg)

US: New home sales exceeds estimates
Demand for new US homes was stronger than projected in March, showing more jobs and cheaper borrowing costs are helping stabilize the market. Houses sold at a 328,000 annual rate (against forecast of 319,000), down from an upwardly revised 353,000 pace in February. However, new-home sales have lost their ability to forecast the broader market as demand shifts to previously owned houses. New properties made up almost 7% of the market last year, down from a high of 15% during the last decade’s housing boom. Sales of previously owned homes fell 2.6% in March to a 4.48m annual rate. The median new homes sales price increased 6.3% in March y-o-y to USD234,500. (Bloomberg)

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the economy is “gradually getting stronger,” but warned that the US faces risks from the crisis in Europe, whilst the confrontation with Iran has driven up oil prices. The US will also be facing a “fiscal cliff” at year-end that will necessitate “bipartisan agreement on reforms to restore fiscal sustainability.” (Bloomberg)

More than 100 smaller US banks were able to tap government programs to pay off bailout money they received during the financial crisis but those still owing face a perilous future, federal watchdog Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program noted. (Reuters)

The US housing market is likely to remain weak and may take a generation or more to rebound due to a weak labour market, high gas prices and a general sense of consumer unease, co-creator of the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller Home Price Index Robert Shiller said. (Reuters)

US: Bernanke “prepared to do more” after policy is left unchanged
Ben Bernanke said the Federal Reserve stands ready to add to its stimulus if necessary even after leaving its policy unchanged and upgrading its view of the economy for this year. “We remain prepared to do more as needed to make sure that this recovery continues and that inflation stays close to target,” he said. Policy makers upgraded their forecasts and now see the jobless rate at between 7.8% and 8%, compared with January estimates of 8.2% to 8.5%. The economy is forecast to expand at 2.4% to 2.9%, compared with 2.2% to 2.7%. Projections for the inflation rate rose to 1.9% to 2%, from 1.4% to 1.8%. (Bloomberg)

20120426 1019 Malaysia Market Related News.

Najib Spending Binge Could Risk Downgrade Without Revenue Boost (Source: Bloomberg)
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s record spending binge, aimed at shoring up support before elections as early as next month, may risk the country’s first credit-rating downgrade since the Asian financial crisis. Standard & Poor’s “might have to think about” a potential cut in a few years unless the next government enacts measures to boost revenue and reduce subsidies after the vote, Takahira Ogawa, an analyst at the rating company, said in an interview. Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings also said Malaysia must take steps to bring down its debt-to-GDP ratio, which the International Monetary Fund projects may climb to a 20-year high of 55.9 percent this year.
Najib, 58, has raised civil servant salaries and pensions, waived school fees and boosted handouts for the poor in a bid to extend the ruling party’s 55-year lock on power. His National Front coalition won its lowest-ever share of the vote in 2008, and failure to secure a clear mandate may lead to political gridlock that would impede plans to strengthen public finances. “Elections have delayed the required policy adjustments and aggravated the fiscal situation as populist policies take center stage,” said Chua Hak Bin, an economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Singapore. “Not going through with structural reforms, including introducing a broad-based consumption tax and reducing fuel subsidies, will eventually hurt Malaysia’s credit standing.”

20120426 1019 Global Market Related News.

Asian Stocks Rise on Bernanke Remarks, South Korean GDP (Source: Bloomberg)
Asian stocks rose, with the regional benchmark index heading for its second day of gains, after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said he’s prepared to do more to stimulate U.S. growth and South Korea’s economy expanded at the fastest pace in a year. Samsung Electronics Co., South Korea’s biggest consumer electronics maker, gained 1.5 percent. Honda Motor Co. (7267), a carmaker that counts North America as its largest market, increased 1.1 percent in Tokyo. Hitachi Chemical Co. jumped 6.8 percent as Credit Suisse Group AG raised its rating to outperform, the equivalent of buy, after the company forecast higher profits in the year ending March 2013. “The Federal Reserve didn’t rule out the possibility of additional monetary easing,” said Mitsushige Akino, who oversees about $600 million in Tokyo at Ichiyoshi Investment Management Co. “That’s leading to confidence among investors.”
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index increased 0.5 percent to 124.18 as of 10:23 a.m. in Tokyo, with more than two shares rising for each that fell. Asian stocks extended a global rally spurred by better-than-estimated profits at companies from Apple Inc. to Boeing Co.

Japanese Stock Futures Gain on U.S. Home Sales, Earnings (Source: Bloomberg)
Japanese stocks gained for a second day, with the Nikkei 225 (NKY) Stock Average heading for a one-week high, after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said he’s prepared to do more to stimulate U.S economic growth. Gains were limited as Fanuc Corp. slid the most in eight months.  Honda Motor Co. (7267), a carmaker that gets almost 45 percent of its sales in North America, gained 1.6 percent. Canon Inc. added 0.7 percent after the camera maker raised its earnings forecast. Fanuc Corp., the second-heaviest weighted stock on the Nikkei, plunged 5.7 percent after the maker of factory robots forecasted lower operating profit. The Nikkei 225 rose 0.5 percent to 9,604.15 as of 9:22 a.m. in Tokyo, heading for the highest close since April 18. Volume on the gauge was almost a quarter below the 30-day intraday average. The broader Topix Index gained 0.7 percent to 814.88, with almost three times as many shares advancing as declining.
“The Federal Reserve didn’t rule out the possibility of additional monetary easing,” said Mitsushige Akino, who oversees about $600 million in Tokyo at Ichiyoshi Investment Management Co. “That’s leading to confidence among investors.”

Nasdaq-100 Has Biggest Advance in 2012 as Apple Jumps (Source: Bloomberg)
U.S. stocks advanced, giving the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) its biggest gain this year, as Apple Inc.’s earnings almost doubled and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said he’s prepared to do more to stimulate growth. Apple, the most valuable company, surged 8.9 percent for the biggest gain since November 2008. Boeing Co. (BA) added 5.3 percent as earnings beat estimates after the company delivered more commercial jets while pushing production to record levels. Caterpillar Inc. (CAT), the world’s largest maker of construction equipment, slumped 4.6 percent as revenue missed projections. The Nasdaq-100 Index jumped 2.7 percent to 2,709.62 at 4 p.m. New York time. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index added 1.4 percent to 1,390.69. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 89.16 points, or 0.7 percent, to 13,090.72. Apple (AAPL) is not a member of the 30-stock gauge. About 6.8 billion shares changed hands on U.S. exchanges, almost in line with the three-month average.
“It’s encouraging,” James Swanson, who oversees about $250 billion as chief investment strategist at Boston-based MFS Investment Management, said in a telephone interview. “The earnings season shows that companies can have good profitability in a low growth environment. As long as these earnings hold up, I’d say that’s a bright sign for the market.”

Stocks Advance on Earnings, Fed as Treasuries Trim Drop (Source: Bloomberg)
Stocks (MXWD) rose for a second day as earnings beat estimates at companies from Apple Inc. (AAPL) to Boeing Co. (BA), while Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said he remains prepared to do more to stimulate growth if needed. Treasuries pared earlier losses and the dollar weakened. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index jumped 1.4 percent to close at 1,390.69 at 4 p.m. in New York. The Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) rallied 2.7 percent, the most in 2012, with Apple surging 8.9 percent for its best gain in more than three years. Ten-year Treasury note yields added one basis point to 1.99 percent after gaining six points earlier. The dollar fell versus 13 of 16 major peers. Cattle rebounded after tumbling yesterday following the first U.S. case of mad-cow disease in six years.
Apple late yesterday posted earnings that almost doubled, reflecting growing demand for the iPhone in China and helping the most-valuable company rebound following a 12 percent slide from its record on April 9. The Fed said policy makers expect the economy to accelerate gradually, increasing forecasts for 2012 growth and reducing projections for the jobless rate. Bernanke said the central bank remains prepared to take additional action if needed to boost the economy.

European Stocks Advance; Swedbank, Electrolux Rally (Source: Bloomberg)
European stocks advanced for a second day as companies from Apple Inc. to Swedbank AB (SWEDA) and Electrolux AB (ELUXB) reported earnings that beat estimates. A gauge of European bank shares climbed, with Swedbank AB jumping to its highest price in almost a month. Electrolux AB, the world’s second-biggest appliance maker, rallied 6.5 percent. Temenos Group AG (TEMN) soared 19 percent as the Swiss banking-software maker’s first-quarter sales beat estimates and it confirmed its full-year outlook. The benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 Index (SXXP) gained 1 percent to 256.96 at the close of trading. The measure has advanced 5.1 percent this year as the European Central Bank disbursed more than 1 trillion euros ($1.3 trillion) to the region’s lenders to spur the availability of credit and boost the economy.
“Strong results from Apple and other European companies are helping the market today,” said Otto Waser, chief investment officer at Research & Asset Management AG in Zurich. “We’re in an environment where market participants buy and sell depending on the newsflow, but the market still lacks a clear trend. We’ve seen stronger moves and bigger changes of direction lately, leaving some investors nervous.”

Treasuries Snap Decline on Forecasts for Slowing Growth (Source: Bloomberg)
Treasuries snapped a two-day decline on speculation a report tomorrow will show U.S. economic growth slowed, after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said he is ready to do more to spur expansion. Treasuries have returned 1.3 percent this month as decelerating growth and Europe’s debt crisis increased demand for the relative safety of U.S. debt, based on Bank of America Merrill Lynch indexes. Corporate bonds in the nation returned 0.8 percent, the figures show. The U.S. is scheduled to sell $29 billion of seven-year notes today. “The Fed is very determinedly accommodative,” said Jay Mueller, who manages about $3 billion of bonds at Wells Capital Management in Milwaukee. “They’re going to stay accommodative.” Benchmark 10-year yields were little changed at 1.98 percent as of 9:22 a.m. in Tokyo, according to Bloomberg Bond Trader prices. The 2 percent security due in February 2022 changed hands at 100 1/8.

FOREX-Euro near 3-wk high on Dutch debt sale, Apple results
TOKYO, April 25 (Reuters) - The euro hovered near a three-week high against the dollar on Wednesday after euro zone sovereign debt attracted decent demand and strong earnings from Apple boosted risk appetite, while focus turned to the outcome of a Federal Reserve meeting.
"Ahead of the Fed FOMC outcome today trading is likely to be relatively restrained, with the risk rally struggling to make much headway," said Mitul Kotecha of Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank.

Dollar Stays Lower on Fed Easing Speculation Before GDP (Source: Bloomberg)
The dollar remained lower against its peers before data tomorrow that may show U.S. growth slowed in the first quarter, fueling speculation the Federal Reserve will consider additional stimulus. The euro traded within 0.1 percent of a three-week high as Asian stocks extended gains to a second day after Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said he’s prepared to “do more” to spur the economy, boosting demand for higher-yielding assets. Demand for the yen was limited amid speculation the Bank of Japan (8301) will add to easing measures at its meeting tomorrow. New Zealand’s dollar rose even after the nation’s Reserve Bank left interest rates at a record low. “Certainly, the underlying trend in the dollar is softness,” said Andrew Salter, a foreign-exchange strategist at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. (ANZ) in Sydney. “Bernanke’s statement was perceived to be dovish by the market.”
The dollar traded at $1.3229 per euro at 9:29 a.m. in Tokyo from $1.3217 at the New York close yesterday, when it touched $1.3237 , the weakest since April 4. The U.S. currency was little changed at 81.35 yen. The yen bought 107.61 per euro from 107.51, after sliding 0.2 percent yesterday.

China Sets Strongest Yuan Reference Rate Since July 2005 (Source: Bloomberg)
China’s central bank set the yuan’s reference rate 0.15 percent higher at 6.2829 per dollar today, the strongest level since July 2005.

Aussie Dollar Remains Higher; N.Z. Swaps Drop After RBNZ Meeting (Source: Bloomberg)
Australia’s dollar remained higher after gaining yesterday as Asian stocks extended a global rally, boosting demand for riskier assets. New Zealand’s two-year swap rate slid to the least in 12 weeks after the nation’s Reserve Bank left interest rates at a record low. Demand for the Australian and New Zealand currencies was supported after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said the U.S. central bank stands ready to introduce more stimulus measures if necessary. “Global sentiment has been strong for the past two days, and that’s helped high-beta currencies like the Aussie and kiwi rise,” said Imre Speizer, a strategist in Auckland at Westpac Banking Corp. (WBC), Australia’s second-largest lender. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand meeting “was a bit more dovish than we would’ve expected, and we note that New Zealand interest rates have fallen, and that makes a lot of sense to us.”
Australia’s dollar was at $1.0361 at 10:27 a.m. in Sydney after having gained 0.4 percent to $1.0353 yesterday. New Zealand’s currency rose 0.3 percent to 81.54 U.S. cents. Two- year swap rates in the smaller nation slid as much as 9 1/2 basis points to 2.76 percent, the lowest since Feb. 2.

Bernanke Says ‘Prepared to Do More’ as Policy Unchanged (Source: Bloomberg)
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said the central bank stands ready to add to its stimulus if necessary even after leaving its policy unchanged today and upgrading its view of the economy for this year. “We remain prepared to do more as needed to make sure that this recovery continues and that inflation stays close to target,” he said at a press conference today following a meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee in Washington. Additional bond-buying is still “very much on the table.” Treasuries pared losses after Bernanke kept speculation alive that the Fed might embark on a third round of monetary easing after expanding its balance sheet to a record of almost $3 trillion. Central bankers today raised their forecasts for growth and the labor market this year while repeating that borrowing costs are likely to remain “exceptionally low” at least through late 2014.
The FOMC “expects economic growth to remain moderate over coming quarters and then to pick up gradually,” it said in a statement after a two-day meeting. The statement pointed to “some signs of improvement” in housing while saying the industry at the heart of the financial crisis “remains depressed.”

Drop in U.S. Durables Orders Masks Investment Gain: Economy (Source: Bloomberg)
Orders for U.S. durable goods fell in March by the most in three years, depressed by a pullback in demand for aircraft that masked gains in business investment. Bookings for goods meant to last at least three years dropped 4.2 percent, more than forecast and the biggest decrease since January 2009, Commerce Department data showed today in Washington. Sales of non-military capital equipment excluding planes climbed for a second month, prompting some economists to raise first-quarter forecasts for gross domestic product. Demand for cars and auto supplies is supporting companies from 3M Co. (MMM) to Texas Instruments Inc., showing manufacturing will underpin the world’s largest economy. At the same time, factories may give way to service industries as a pillar of the expansion as a slowdown in global growth curbs exports.
“There’s some caution looking ahead,” said Tom Porcelli, chief U.S. economist at RBC Capital Markets LLC in New York. “The new orders would suggest that there’s perhaps a modest reassessment taking place.” The shipments figure “actually bodes well for GDP” in the first quarter, he said.

Geithner Says Economy Faces Risk From Europe Crisis, Iran (Source: Bloomberg)
Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner said the U.S. faces risks from the crisis in Europe while the confrontation with Iran has helped drive up oil prices. “We still face some risks ahead,” Geithner said to the Portland City Club today. “We still live in a dangerous and uncertain world, with Europe confronting a severe and protracted crisis. The world is engaged in a critical struggle with Iran, which has added to upward pressure on oil prices.” Geithner’s comments in Oregon come as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said today that he remains prepared to do more to stimulate growth if needed. Federal Reserve policy makers said they expect growth to gradually accelerate, while refraining from new actions to lower borrowing costs. Crude oil for June delivery rose 57 cents to $104.12 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, a one-week high. Prices have advanced 1.8 percent in the past four days, the longest rally since the period ended Feb. 24.

Bernanke Rejects Criticism He Ignores His Own Policy Advice (Source: Bloomberg)
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said pushing up inflation to cut joblessness would be “reckless,” and he rejected criticism that he isn’t following his own advice to the Bank of Japan more than a decade ago on how to avert economic stagnation. “The question is, does it make sense to actively seek a higher inflation rate in order to achieve” a slightly faster reduction in the unemployment rate, Bernanke said today to reporters after a Federal Open Market Committee meeting. “The view of the committee is that that would be very reckless.” Paul Krugman, a Princeton University economist and Nobel laureate, said in an April 24 New York Times Magazine article that the Fed should raise its 2 percent inflation target to reduce unemployment. Such a policy shift would align with Bernanke’s comment in 2000 that the BOJ should pursue faster inflation to curb the risk of deflation, he said.
“While the Fed went to great lengths to rescue the financial system, it has done far less to rescue workers,” Krugman said. “Many economists, ranging from the chief economist of the International Monetary Fund to one of Mitt Romney’s top economic advisers, have argued, as I have, that higher expected inflation would aid an economy” because it would persuade investors and businesses “that sitting on cash is a bad idea,” Krugman said.

Bernanke Says Fed May Name Officials Making Rate Forecasts (Source: Bloomberg)
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said the central bank is considering identifying the interest-rate forecasts of individual policy makers as it reviews ways to improve its communications with the public. The Fed is looking “for ways to improve transparency, and we’re looking at everything,” Bernanke said at a press conference today following a meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee in Washington. Giving the names of the individuals making forecasts is “on the table.” The Fed currently releases a chart showing dots which correspond to the interest-rate forecasts of its 17 policy makers and a table showing the range of their forecasts for inflation, growth and unemployment. The chart doesn’t give the names of the policy makers. Only 10 of them are voting members of the FOMC in any given year, and the chart and table do not explain the preferences of the FOMC’s voting membership.
The FOMC’s committee on communications discussed providing more information that “could convey a sense of how the committee might adjust policy in response to changes in the economic outlook,” according to minutes of the Fed’s March meeting.

China Helps First-Home Buyers as Market Cools: Mortgages (Source: Bloomberg)
Kevin Xi had no trouble getting a mortgage to buy a 1.53 million yuan ($242,563) one-bedroom apartment in Beijing last month, even as China’s government tries to cool the housing market. He even got a 10 percent reduction on interest. “I didn’t expect to get such a good rate,” said Xi, 27, an employee of a property company whose 960,000 yuan mortgage loan with Bank of China Ltd. was approved within five working days. “I thought only employees from government agencies or state-owned companies qualified.” The government is pushing in two directions as it seeks to slow price growth while avoiding a collapse. It’s lowering borrowing costs for first-time homebuyers to encourage purchases while Premier Wen Jiabao keeps curbs in place to stem the speculators who have helped drive home prices up by as much as 140 percent since 1998. China’s 18 percent first-quarter drop in home sales contributed to the slowest economic growth in almost three years.
“Property is an important sector for China’s economy,” said Jack Gong, a Hong Kong-based property analyst at Jefferies Group Inc. “The central government will not forcefully crack down on the market even if it is not supporting it. Fine-tuning the mortgage policies shows the government’s clear intention to uphold economic growth.”

South Korea’s Economy Expands at Fastest Pace in a Year (Source: Bloomberg)
South Korea’s economy expanded at the fastest pace in a year even as austerity measures in Europe and a slowdown in China cloud the outlook for exports. Gross domestic product rose 0.9 percent in the first quarter from the previous three months, when it gained 0.3 percent, the Bank of Korea said today. That matches the median estimate of 13 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. The U.K. sinking into its first double-dip recession since the 1970s highlights the risk of slumping demand for Asian exports as governments in developed nations cut spending to improve their finances. Bank of Korea Governor Kim Choong Soo said last week that “downside risks are expected to remain high for some time” due to volatile oil prices and Europe’s sovereign-debt crisis.
“The biggest challenge facing South Korea’s economy now is weakening export momentum, with Europe suffering a slump and many emerging countries slowing,” said Park Sang Hyun, chief economist at HI Investment & Securities Co. in Seoul. “The central bank is unlikely to raise interest rates for an extended period.”

Cameron Braces for U.K. Confidence Shock as Recession Returns (Source: Bloomberg)
Prime Minister David Cameron’s government is bracing itself as the first U.K. recession since he took office threatens to deliver a shock to confidence. As the premier persists with the fiscal squeeze that has defined his administration, he now faces twin dangers from political fallout and economic damage. While Cameron insists his austerity program has kept U.K. government bond yields low and aided the economy, he said yesterday that a 0.2 percent first- quarter contraction was “very disappointing.” “The headlines all over the place will do damage to confidence,” said Brian Hilliard, an economist at Societe Generale in London, who was the only one of 40 economists in a Bloomberg News survey to correctly forecast the outcome. “It will increase the pressure on Cameron at a time when he’s making many missteps on other issues.”
News of a double-dip recession and the threat it poses to sentiment among consumers and businesses risks compounding the woes of the Conservative premier after a month when the opposition Labour Party increased its lead in opinion polls. Cameron is nursing the fallout from negative reaction to his tax cuts for the rich and countering suggestions that the government improperly favored News Corp. in a takeover battle.

Europe Shifts Crisis Focus to Growth as Merkel Backs Draghi Call (Source: Bloomberg)
Europe may add an annex to its budget treaty spelling out how countries can boost growth as the bloc shifts its emphasis on tackling the debt crisis, a German government official said. Steps to raise competitiveness along with structural reforms are likely to feature in the prescriptions for growth, with a target date for completion by the June 18-19 Group of 20 leaders’ summit in Mexico, the official said on condition of anonymity because the discussions are private and not complete. The change in tack was signaled yesterday by European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, whose call for a “growth compact” was quickly endorsed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Francois Hollande, the French presidential election front-runner, seized on Draghi’s remarks as evidence of the need for treaty changes to promote growth.
Draghi’s comment “illustrates the depth of concern felt by the ECB about the weak outlook for the euro area economy,” said Julian Callow, chief European economist at Barclays Capital. “It perhaps could be a closet call for Germany to provide greater fiscal stimulus given its low budget deficit.”

Draghi Softens Tone on Inflation, Calls for Growth Compact (Source: Bloomberg)
European Central Bank President Mario Draghi softened his tone on the inflation outlook and called for a “growth compact” as the sovereign debt crisis weighs on the euro-area economy. While inflation will remain above the ECB’s 2 percent limit this year, it will slow in 2013 and “underlying price pressures should remain modest,” Draghi told lawmakers in Brussels today. That’s a contrast to the “upside risks” to inflation he warned of three weeks ago. Risks to the economic outlook remain on the downside, Draghi said. Since the ECB lifted its 2012 inflation forecast to 2.4 percent in March, the debt crisis has worsened, threatening to derail a fragile economic recovery. Spending cuts across the region are already damping growth, prompting a backlash against the German-led austerity drive in countries such as France. Draghi, whose call for a fiscal compact to toughen budget rules was adopted by European Union leaders, today urged them to take similar steps to foster growth.

20120426 1018 Global Commodities Related News.

Market Recap: Wheat Futures  (Source: CME)
Chicago and Kansas City wheat futures saw two-sided trade today but settled low-range with Chicago 4 to 8 cents lower and Kansas City narrowly mixed. Minneapolis wheat rallied late to finish fractionally to 4 1/4 cents higher, with the exception of the May contract. Futures took their cue from the corn market today, which also saw a mixed day of trade and softened into the close.

Wheat Market Recap Report  (Source: CME)
July Wheat finished down 6 at 626 1/2, 16 1/4 off the high and 2 1/2 up from the low. December Wheat closed down 5 1/2 at 665 3/4. This was 2 1/4 up from the low and 13 1/2 off the high. July wheat pushed from higher to lower on the session to close moderately lower on the day. Less fear of cold weather issues ahead plus ideas that the winter wheat crop yield potential is very high helped to pressure. The surge in soybeans, positive outside market forces and a surge higher in the stock market helped to support the strong opening. However, a lack of new buying interest and a push lower in corn sparked a fairly aggressive selling pace from fund traders and a moderately lower on the day trade in wheat into the mid-session. Less cold weather in the forecast for the eastern Corn Belt plus more rain in the forecast for the plains were seen as negative weather forces which helped to pressure. Libya expected to import near 1 million tonnes in 2012. July Minneapolis wheat was down sharply on the day into the mid-session and down to the lowest level since January 20th. July Oats closed down 3/4 at 341 3/4. This was 6 1/2 up from the low and 3 1/4 off the high.

Corn Market Recap for 4/25/2012  (Source: CME)
July Corn finished down 7 at 601, 16 off the high and 1/4 up from the low. December Corn closed down 3 1/2 at 538. This was 2 up from the low and 8 3/4 off the high. July corn closed moderately lower on the day after first trading moderately higher on the session. Funds were noted as aggressive sellers of near 12,000 contracts on the session. The market followed the soybean rally overnight and then got a boost near the opening due to more active sales announcements from China. However, similar to yesterday, there was buy the rumor, sell the fact type session which pulled the market lower on the day into the mid-session. Slower ethanol demand and weaker wheat prices were also seen as negative forces. Private exporters reported a sale of 420,000 tonnes of US corn to unknown destination for the 2012/13 season. In addition, exporters reported a sale of 262,500 tones of US corn for China. Of the sale, 90,000 was for the 2011/12 season and 172,500 for the 2012/13 season. Ethanol production for the week ending April 20th averaged 865,000 barrels per day. This is down 2.15% vs. last week and down 2.04% vs. last year. Corn used in last week's production is estimated at 92.1 million bushels. Corn use needs to average 94.2 million bushels per week to meet this crop year's USDA estimate. Stocks were 21.852 million barrels. This is down 0.53% vs. last week and up 13.32% vs. last year. The outlook for sharply higher production this summer has continued to spark selling. The May USDA report will be the first look at the 2012/13 ending stocks. Traders see stocks near 1.8 billion bushels for the May report as compared with 801 million bushels for the 2011/12 season. July Rice finished up 0.075 at 16, 0.04 off the high and 0.15 up from the low.

Market Recap: Corn Futures  (Source: CME)
Corn futures got off to a firmer start but buying interest quickly dried up and futures drifted lower. Old-crop corn ended 7 to 7 1/4 cents lower, with September down 6 1/2 cents. New-crop corn ended mostly between 2 to 3 cents lower. Funds were active sellers of 12,000 contracts today (60 million bushels). The inability of the market to rally on positive news signals traders' focus is on the potential for a large 2012 crop.

Moroccan Agmin sees cereals harvest at 4.8 mln T (Source: CME)
Morocco's cereals harvest should reach 4.8 million tonnes this year, the agriculture minister said on Tuesday, which is far below last year's level and the crop budget for 2012, but slightly above the most recent forecasts. Aziz Akhannouch made the announcement in remarks carried by the official MAP news agency. He did not give a breakdown per variety.

Canadian farmers to plant more wheat than expected  (Source: CME)
Canadian farmers intend to plant nearly a million acres more wheat than the industry expected in the first year of an open grain market, along with a record-large canola crop, Statistics Canada reported Tuesday in its initial forecast of 2012 planting intentions. Drier-than-normal weather in Western Canada, stretching back to last summer, brought millions of previously flooded acres back into production this spring, lifting plantings of most major crops.

Is the bloom off new crop corn's rose?  (Source: CME)
Bullish corn traders continue to view the robust tone of spot domestic corn basis levels as a sign that this market has further upside potential in the weeks and months ahead. But a slight cooling in the basis at key export locations as well as the recent downward grind in the price of corn in China raise the prospect that old-crop corn may have had its day as the grain market to watch and is now set for a stretch of low-key range-bound action until we get deeper into the new crop-growing season.  

GRAINS-US soy at highest since 2008; wheat, corn rise
SINGAPORE, April 25 (Reuters) - Chicago soybeans rose  to their highest in nearly four years, building on the previous session's rally on expectations of strong demand for U.S. beans amid shrinking South American supplies.
"The soybean market is going to go higher as the entire edible oil sector is going to be severely constrained for the rest of the year," said Abah Ofon, a commodities analyst at Standard Chartered in Singapore.

Malawi maize crop seen down, still in surplus
BLANTYRE, April 25 (Reuters) - Malawi's maize crop is forecast to fall this season by around 7 percent to 3.6 million tonnes, the southern African country's agriculture ministry said on Wednesday.
It also said in a statement it projects a surplus of around 567,000 tonnes but a clearer picture will emerge when two more forecasts are made during harvesting. Production was around 3.8 to 3.9 million tonnes last year.

Ethiopia 11/12 grain output high-attache
April 24 (Reuters) - Following are selected highlights from a report issued by a U.S. Department of Agriculture attache in Ethiopia:
"Ethiopia is one of the largest grain producing countries in Africa, although it is still a food insecure country and a net importer of grain. Cereals are predominantly produced by smallholders, and are consumed as food, with only residues and by-products fed to livestock. Due to good rainfall in 2011, production of all grains in Marketing Year (MY) 2011/12 was high.

Canadian farmers to plant more wheat than expected
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, April 24 (Reuters) - Canadian farmers intend to plant nearly a million acres more wheat than the industry expected in the first year of an open grain market, along with a record-large canola crop, Statistics Canada reported Tuesday in its initial forecast of 2012 planting intentions.  
Drier-than-normal weather in Western Canada, stretching back to last summer, brought millions of previously flooded acres back into production this spring, lifting plantings of most major crops.

S.Africa further cuts 2012 maize crop f'cast
JOHANNESBURG, April 24 (Reuters) - South Africa cut its 2012 maize output forecast by nearly 2 percent on Tuesday, bang in line with market expectations, citing continued unfavourable weather conditions.
The government's Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) said in its third production forecast for the May 2011-April 2012 season that the country is now expected to harvest 11.12 million tonnes of maize from 11.3 million tonnes in the previous forecast.
 
Moroccan Agmin sees cereals harvest at 4.8 mln T
RABAT, April 24 (Reuters) - Morocco's cereals harvest should reach 4.8 million tonnes this year, the agriculture minister said on Tuesday, which is far below last year's level and the crop budget for 2012, but slightly above the most recent forecasts.  
Aziz Akhannouch made the announcement in remarks carried by the official MAP news agency. He did not give a breakdown per variety.

Vietnam Jan-April rice exports -28.1 pct y/y-govt
HANOI, April 24 (Reuters) - Vietnam's rice exports between January and April are estimated to be down 28.1 percent from the same period last year to 1.96 million tonnes, the government's General Statistics Office said on Tuesday.
Rice export revenues in the first four months fell an estimated 27.8 percent from a year earlier to $969 million, the statistics office said in its monthly report.

SOFTS-Sugar extends bounce, cocoa consolidates
LONDON, April 25 (Reuters) - Raw sugar futures extended their recovery from an 11-month low hit earlier this week, boosted by a weaker dollar.  Raw sugar futures were higher, supported by the dollar hitting a three-week low against a basket of currencies, as the market extended its recovery from an 11-month low hit on Monday after funds liquidated long positions.

Costa Rica sees 5 pct drop in coffee crop next season
SAN JOSE, April 24 (Reuters) - Costa Rica coffee production is forecast to drop 5 percent in the upcoming 2012/13 harvest due to the biennial nature of the crop, as coffee trees usually produce less after a boom year.
The small Central American country, known for its high-quality arabica beans, sees next season's production down nearly 90,000 bags, reaching a total of 1.71 million bags, the national coffee institute ICAFE said on Tuesday.

India seen net sugar exporter again in 12/13-attache
April 24 (Reuters) - Following are selected highlights from a report issued by a U.S. Department of Agriculture attache in India:
"Indian sugar production is poised to increase to 29.8 million tonnes (raw value basis) in marketing year (MY) 2012/13 (October-September) due to an expected increase in sugarcane production. Anticipating surplus sugar production and strong export demand for 2012/13, India will continue to be a net exporter of sugar for second consecutive year, with exports likely to reach as much as 2.5 million tonnes. Continued strong demand from bulk consumers will push sugar consumption to 26.5 million tonnes."

Dry weather to prevent record Argentina sugar crop-attache
April 24 (Reuters) - Following are selected highlights from a report issued by a U.S. Department of Agriculture attache in Argentina:
"Argentine sugar production in marketing year 2012/13 is projected at 2.04 million tonnes (raw value). Everything was set for a record crop, primarily as result of additional planted area, but dry weather in most part of the growing season negatively affected most plantations without irrigation. Domestic consumption is forecast to increase marginally, while exports could expand to 260,000 tonnes (raw value)."

Rain to help young Brazil cane but slow the harvest
SAO PAULO, April 24 (Reuters) - Brazil's world-leading sugarcane belt will get widespread rain later this week that will help to speed growth in much of the main center-south crop that dry weather in February and March had stunted, local weather forecaster Somar said.
The new, heavy rainfall expected over all of Sao Paulo and Parana states in the second half of this week will likely push back the start of harvesting until next week, meteorologist Marco Antonio dos Santos said in a bulletin released late on Monday.

Vietnam April coffee exports  up 18.8 pct on yr
HANOI, April 24 (Reuters) - Vietnam's coffee exports this month are estimated to jump 18.8 percent from a year ago to 150,000 tonnes, or 2.5 million bags, the government's General Statistics Office said on Tuesday, in line with market expectations.
Coffee loading between October 2011 and April, the first seven months of the 2011/2012 coffee crop year, dropped an estimated 2.8 percent from a year earlier to 909,700 tonnes, or 15.2 million 60-kg bags, the statistics office said.

Rubber Futures Gain 0.1% to 306.7 Yen/Kg in Tokyo (Source: Bloomberg)
Rubber futures gained 0.1 percent in Tokyo. The October-delivery contract rose to 306.7 yen a kilogram at 9:00 a.m. local time.

Euro Coal-May S.African trades at $99.70/T
LONDON, April 24 (Reuters) - European prompt physical coal prices softened again on Tuesday but few trades were reported.
A May loading South African capesize cargo traded at $99.70 a tonne, falling below $100 once more, but the price reflects the discount which a very prompt cargo would have, traders said.

Coal India mulls 15 mln T imports -suppliers
LONDON, April 24 (Reuters) - The world's largest coal miner, Coal India (CIL) , has been discussing importing up to 15 million tonnes of thermal coal with suppliers, but there are numerous obstacles to overcome before a tender can be issued, supplier sources said.
"Coal India is clearly under a lot of pressure to make up the shortfall in its own output but a lot needs to be covered before they can import," one Delhi-based source said.

U.S. coal exports to China may double in 2012-Xcoal
BEIJING, April 19 (Reuters) - U.S. coal exports to China could more than double to over 12 million tonnes in 2012 thanks to depressed freight rates and a fall in domestic demand in the United States, the chief of top U.S. coal exporter Xcoal Energy & Resources said.
The expected increase in coal shipments could further push down coal prices in Asia where a supply glut following a deluge from the United States and Colombia has forced prices to slump recently.

Oil Trades Near Weekly High on Demand Outlook After Fed (Source: Bloomberg)
Oil traded near the highest level in more than a week in New York after Federal Reserve policy makers said they expect growth to accelerate, boosting speculation that fuel demand will rise. Futures were little changed after gaining 0.6 percent yesterday. Economic growth is expected to “remain moderate over coming quarters and then to pick up gradually,” the Federal Open Market Committee said in a statement. Prices declined earlier as U.S. supplies gained and Iran’s envoy in Moscow said his country is considering a proposal to halt the expansion of its nuclear program. Crude for June delivery was at $104.05 a barrel, down 7 cents, in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 9:46 a.m. Sydney time. The contract yesterday rose 57 cents to $104.12, the highest close since April 17. Prices are 5.3 percent higher this year.
Brent oil for June settlement increased 0.8 percent to $119.12 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange yesterday. The European benchmark contract’s front month premium to West Texas Intermediate closed at $15. Iran is considering a Russian proposal to halt the expansion of its nuclear program in order to avert new sanctions, Iranian Ambassador Mahmoud-Reza Sajjadi said in Moscow yesterday. Oil prices have climbed this year amid speculation that tension with Iran may disrupt global supplies.

OIL-Brent hovers above $118, waiting for Fed
SINGAPORE, April 25 (Reuters) - Brent crude hovered above $118 a barrel on Wednesday as investors marked time ahead of the outcome of the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy meeting, with some investors hoping to hear hints of further monetary easing in the world's top oil user.
"We are not expecting drastic changes from the Fed, but we are hoping to hear hints about QE3," said Ken Hasegawa, a commodity derivatives manager at Newedge Brokerage.

Mine Setbacks Mean ‘Disappointing’ Copper Output, Barclays Says (Source: Bloomberg)
Copper supplies relative to demand will fall to a four-year low as operating glitches, labor shortages and declining ore-grade quality cut mine supplies, boosting prospects for a price rebound, Barclays Capital said. Stockpiles will be sufficient to last for 2.7 weeks by the end of the year at projected demand, down from 3.2 weeks at the end of 2011 and 3.6 weeks at the end of 2010, Gayle Berry and Nicholas Snowdon, analysts at Barclays Capital, said in a telephone interview. Copper will average $9,300 a metric ton in the fourth quarter, the bank said in a report on April 12. The commodity has averaged $8,300 so far this year.
Prices have more than doubled since the end of 2008 as miners struggled to keep pace with rising demand. Freeport- McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., the world’s top publicly traded copper producer, cut its 2012 sales forecasts last week after violence among employees halted output at its Grasberg mine in Indonesia for more than two weeks in February and March. Rio Tinto Group said on April 17 that production of the metal dropped 18 percent in the first quarter because of lower ore grades at its Kennecott Utah operation. “All of these issues are going to keep the level of disruptions elevated,” Snowdon said. “There are new projects hitting the market, but it’s a relatively disappointing outlook” for supply, he said.

Iron Ore-Spot falls on slow demand, Shanghai steel at 7-wk lows
SINGAPORE, April 24 (Reuters) - Prices of imported iron ore in top consumer China fell on Tuesday as buying interest for the steel-making raw material weakened along with slow demand for steel, with Shanghai rebar futures hitting near seven-week lows.
A slower pace of decline in inventories of steel products held by Chinese traders has raised concern about demand going forward, but some analysts say the continued drop in stockpiles since mid-February suggests demand is picking up, albeit modestly.

Vale Q1 net seen falling 45 pct on prices, volumes
RIO DE JANEIRO, April 24 (Reuters) - First-quarter profit at Vale , the world's biggest iron-ore producer, likely fell by nearly half from a year earlier due to lower prices for its main products, heavy rain and spending on new mines, analysts surveyed by Reuters said.
The Rio de Janeiro-based company is expected to announce late Wednesday net income of $3.8 billion for the quarter ending March 31, according to the average estimate of six analysts surveyed by Reuters. That's 45 percent less than the same quarter in 2011 and 19 percent less than in the previous quarter.

Indian state to resume iron ore mining in July-minister
NEW DELHI, April 24 (Reuters) - Iron ore production by privately owned miners in India's Karnataka state will likely resume in July, the country's mines minister said on Tuesday, after what will have been a year's hiatus due to a government and judicial crackdown on illegal operations.
Dinsha Patel said initial production from the southern state would go to local steel mills, but a resumption of mining means the world's third-biggest supplier of iron ore could hope to regain its $6 billion, 100 million tonnes average annual exports, mainly to China, in 2012/13.

Baltic sea index up, panamax rates rise 4.9 pct
April 24 (Reuters) - The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry commodities, rose for a 10th straight session on Tuesday on higher rates for smaller vessels.
The overall index, a gauge of the cost of shipping commodities such as iron ore, cement, grain, coal and fertiliser, rose 26 points or 2.39 percent to 1,116 points.

20120426 1018 Soy Oil & Palm Oil Related News.

Soybean Complex Market Recap (Source: CME)
July Soybeans finished up 11 at 1476, 20 3/4 off the high and 11 up from the low. November Soybeans closed up 18 1/2 at 1370 1/2. This was 20 1/2 up from the low and 1 1/4 off the high. July Soymeal closed up 1.5 at 417.2. This was 3.0 up from the low and 9.4 off the high. July Soybean Oil finished up 0.34 at 56.03, 0.26 off the high and 0.33 up from the low. July soybeans closed 11 cents higher on the day and to a new high close but closed more than 20 cents off of the early highs. Weakness in the other grains and ideas that the market is overbought helped to spark the long liquidation selling to pull the market off of the highs. Rumors of China buying more US soybeans and continued talk of declining production estimates for South America, especially Argentina, helped to drive the market sharply higher. The rally pushed nearby soybean futures to the highest level since July of 2008. Nearby meal has led the market higher, pushing to the highest level since July of 2009. There are rumors that China bought near 1 million tonnes of soybeans with a mix of old and new crop. Cash basis levels at the gulf remain firm as producer selling has been light even after the recent surge in pries. A turn lower in corn and wheat helped drag the market well off of the early highs. The weekly hatchery report showed that eggs set in the past week were down 4.5% from last year.

Market Recap: Soybean Futures (Source: CME)
Soybean futures closed 8 to 12 1/4 cents higher in the May through September contract. The November through March 2013 contract finished 16 to 18 1/2 cents higher. Futures started very strong with old-crop contracts leading the way amid expectations declining South American crop forecasts will lead to additional strong demand for U.S. soybeans. But after the initial wave of buying worked through the market, intra-day profit-taking kicked in.

Oil World cuts Argentine soybean crop estimate  (Source: CME)
Hamburg-based oilseeds analyst Oil World said on Tuesday it has again cut its forecast of Argentina's 2012 soybean crop because of drought damage, this time by 1.5 million tonnes. Oil World now forecasts Argentina's 2012 soybean crop at 42.5 million tonnes, down from 49.2 million in 2011. The deteriorating harvest outlook is likely to support global soybean prices, it said.

US soy at highest since 2008  (Source: CME)
Chicago soybeans rose  to their highest in nearly four years, building on the previous session's rally on expectations of strong demand for U.S. beans amid shrinking South American supplies. "The soybean market is going to go higher as the entire edible oil sector is going to be severely constrained for the rest of the year," said Abah Ofon, a commodities analyst at Standard Chartered in Singapore.

VEGOILS-Oil World cuts Argentine soybean crop estimate
HAMBURG, April 24 (Reuters) - Hamburg-based oilseeds analyst Oil World said on Tuesday it has again cut its forecast of Argentina's 2012 soybean crop because of drought damage, this time by 1.5 million tonnes.
Oil World now forecasts Argentina's 2012 soybean crop at 42.5 million tonnes, down from 49.2 million in 2011. The deteriorating harvest outlook is likely to support global soybean prices, it said.