• Asian stock market, economy and companies update (September 16, 2015)

    Index Snapshot (as of 02:30 GMT)
    - Nikkei225 +1.0%, S&P/ASX +1.3%, Kospi +1.7%, Shanghai Composite +0.3%, Hang Seng +1.2%, Dec S&P500 -0.3% at 1,964

    Commodities/Fixed Income
    - Dec gold +0.1% at $1,104/oz, Oct crude oil +0.6% at $44.88/brl, Dec copper -0.4% at $2.41/lb
    - (US) API Petroleum Inventories: Crude: -3.1M v +1Me (first draw in 3 weeks)
    - JGB: (JP) Japan's MoF sells ¥1.09T in 1.2% (1.3% prior) 20-year JGBs; Avg yield: 1.164% v 1.144% prior; bid-to-cover: 2.56x v 2.99x prior
    - (CN) China MoF sells 7-year bonds at 3.286%
    - (AU) Australia MoF (AOFM) sells A$900M in 3.25% 2025 Bonds; avg yield: 2.8027%; bid-to-cover: 2.32x

    Market Focal Points/FX
    - The countdown to the FOMC policy decision has produced some fireworks in the US hours, as investors were more inclined to bet on September liftoff after better than expected retail sales. Treasuries - notably on the short side of the curve - were sold hard to the benefit of US equities. Asia stocks are tracking the advance in US indices with a moderate rally. Goldman chief economist Hatzius still defended his position of no liftoff until December however, adding there was a good chance of an adverse market reaction to the hike. Wednesday will see the release of US CPI data that could solidify expectations for the Thursday announcement.

    - In China, local press report citing MSCI head noted the A-shares could be included into the benchmark sooner than anticipated, suggesting that the current volatility in China market is temporary and will not sway the decision. Recall in early June, China stocks rose sharply on speculated inclusion into emerging market index before MSCI announced it was postponing that decision. Also of note, China Pres Xi's visit with Pres Obama has been confirmed for Sept 25th. Ahead of their talks, MOFCOM's Shen said the recent CNY devaluation is not intended to boost exports, and that US-China talks will seek to deepen their trade relationship. Separately, a Chinese press report reiterated that policymakers are prepared to consider more measures if Q3 GDP continues to slow.

    - RBA assistant Gov Debelle spoke, noting Australian growth may have slowed by about 0.25% amid some slowdown in population growth. On the topic of China devaluation, he said it made sense while also estimating Beijing has used up about $0.5T of its FX reserves to support currency in recent months. In New Zealand, Q2 current account deficit was narrower than expected but still the widest since 2013. New Zealand will put out its Q2 GDP data tomorrow.

    - In FX, EUR/USD rose about 30pips toward $1.13, AUD/USD was little changed below $0.7150, and NZD/USD in a 20pip range below 0.6370. USD/JPY slid about 40pips toward ¥120 handle late in the session.

    Equities
    US equities / ADRs:
    - JST: Receives prelim non binding "Going Private" Proposal at $4.50 Per Share; +10.1% afterhours
    - STRZA: AMC reportedly in talks to acquire Starz - press; +7.0% afterhours
    - FIT: Target to offer Fitbit activity zip bands to its 335K workers - financial press; +2.6% afterhours
    - UNFI: Reports Q4 $0.72 v $0.72e, R$2.06B v $2.06Be; +1.3% afterhours
    - MSFT: Increases dividend 16% to $0.36 from $0.31; +0.5% afterhours
    - CTRP: Priceline raises stake to 11.6% (up from 10.5% in May) - 13D/A filing; +0.2% afterhours
    - HPQ: HP guides FY16 EPS outlook for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) at $1.85-1.95; Sees 25-30K job cuts as part of $2.7B restructuring plan; -0.2% afterhours
    - SIRO: Enters merger of equals with DENTSPLY; intends to conduct $500M buyback as soon as possible post close; -1.3% afterhours
    - HZNP Discloses settlement agreement with Taro - filing; TARO -1.4% afterhours

    Notable movers by sector:
    - Consumer discretionary: Prada 1913.HK +7.1% (H1 result); FamilyMart 8028.JP -2.3% (update on merger with Uny)
    - Financials: CITIC Securities 600030.CN -1.6% (senior execs under probe)
    Hopson Development Holdings 754.HK +1.4% (Aug result); China Life Insurance 2628.HK +2.4% (Aug result); ORIX Corp 8591.JP +2.5% (acquisition)
    - Industrials: China Railway Construction Corp 1186.HK +1.4% (awarded project)
    - Technology: Brambles BXB.AU -2.3% (Reaffirms guidance)
    - Materials: Regis Resources RRL.AU +1.6% (FY15 result)
    - Energy: China Shenhua Energy Co 601088.CN -1.9% (Aug result); China Coal Energy 601898.CN +1.5% (Aug result); Santos STO.AU +3.0% (parties interests in assets)
    - Healthcare: CSL Limited CSL.AU % (FDA advisory)


    Economic Data
    - (CN) China Aug outbound investment $13.5B, +7.0% y/y
    - (AU) AUSTRALIA AUG WESTPAC LEADING INDEX M/M: -0.3% V 0.0% PRIOR; 5-month low
    - (NZ) NEW ZEALAND Q2 CURRENT ACCOUNT BALANCE (NZ$): -1.2B V -1.5BE; Widest deficit since Q3 of 2013
    - (CL) CHILE CENTRAL BANK (BCCH) LEAVES OVERNIGHT RATE TARGET UNCHANGED AT 3.00%; AS EXPECTED; Introduces a tightening bias

    Contributed by Trade The News
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