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Asian shares slip, Fed outlook fuels taper rumours

Written By GA Team on Thursday 31 October 2013 | 3:52 am

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HONG KONG: Asian markets slipped Thursday after the US Federal Reserve kept its stimulus programme unchanged but gave a rosier than expected summary of the economy which fuelled expectations it will start winding it down soon. While the central bank's decision to keep the $85 billion-a-month scheme in place was widely expected, the upbeat outlook provided strong support for the dollar. Tokyo shed 1.20 percent, or 174.41 points, to end at 14,327.94, Sydney eased 0.10 percent, or 5.4 points, to 5,425.5 and Seoul tumbled 1.43 percent, or 29.49 points, to 2,030.09.

In afternoon trade Hong Kong was up 0.55 percent while Shanghai was 0.67 percent off.

After a closely watched two-day policy meeting, the Fed said Wednesday it would hold steady on its bond-buying programme as it awaits further signs the US economy is strong enough to stand on its own feet.

Policymakers made no reference to the potential impact of October's government shutdown and did not hint at future plans for the stimulus.

However, analysts noted the bank did not downgrade its outlook from earlier statements, and some suggested it could begin to reel in the scheme as early as December.

"While maintaining that the economy continued to expand at a moderate pace and that housing may have slowed slightly, overall the Fed noted that downside risks have diminished," said Omer Esiner, chief market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange.

The commentary was "slightly more optimistic than expected" and "not as doveish as many had expected", Esiner added.

Investors have been keeping a close eye on the Fed's plans for the stimulus since May, when it indicated it might begin cutting down its bond purchases, sending global markets tumbling.

Tapering had been expected by the end of this year but a weak set of data -- including soft jobs growth -- and October's two-week government shutdown had made that highly unlikely.

However, the latest comments have sparked talk of such a move before January.

The dollar advanced in New York on expectations there will be less cash washing around the financial system, although it retreated slightly in early Asian trade.

The greenback bought 98.33 yen Thursday, compared with 98.52 yen in New York but well up from 98.14 yen earlier Wednesday in Tokyo.

The yen gained a measure of support from the Bank of Japan's decision to delay expanding its own stimulus programme.

The euro bought $1.3695 and 134.66 yen Thursday, against $1.3738 and 135.35 yen.

On Wall Street the three main indexes retreated on the Fed news, with the Dow and S&P also hit by profit-taking after hitting record highs in the previous session.

The Dow fell 0.39 percent and the S&P 500 declined 0.49 percent, while the Nasdaq lost 0.55 percent.

In oil trade New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for December delivery, slipped 30 cents to $96.47 in afternoon Asian trade. Brent North Sea crude for December dropped 33 cents to $109.53.

Gold rose to $1,336.40 at 0610 GMT compared with $1,350.42 on Wednesday.

In other markets:

Taipei fell 0.18 percent, or 15.00 points, to 8,450.06.

Chunghwa Telecom rose 0.21 percent to Tw$94.6 while Hon Hai fell 0.67 percent to Tw$74.5.

Wellington rose 0.86 percent, or 41.75 points, to 4,909.73. (GNN) (AFP) (Yoogle)

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