- As a result of better-than-anticipated Chinese GDP data and additional steps the central bank made to bolster the faltering economy, stocks in Asia rose.
- Stocks in mainland China grew marginally after statistics on industrial production and retail sales were above expectations, adding to the indication that earlier stimulus measures are beginning to take hold. Both the Australian dollar and the Chinese yuan appreciated.
- A day after announcing another reduction in lender reserve requirements, the PBoC held the interest rate on its one-year medium-term lending facility steady and provided additional cash to the markets via a crucial policy loan for the 10th month to further ease conditions.
- After the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both increased by 0.8% on Thursday, a regional equity benchmark is expected to close at its highest level in just over a month. The US retail sales and producer prices exceeded expectations, and US market futures extended advances in Asia, helping the Dow Jones Industrial Average to increase by about 1%. In Asia, US Treasury yields decreased a little.
- In terms of commodities, oil's rise above $90 a barrel is the most recent achievement in a climb fueled by Saudi Arabia and Russian supply cuts amid record global consumption and comes after reports this week that warned of tightness in the months to come. Futures prices have increased by more than 30% since late June, so traders are preparing for a possible reversal despite Friday's surge.
