Asian markets track Wall St rally as Fed taper concerns ease

HONG KONG, China — Most Asian markets rebounded Tuesday from the previous day's sell-off as concerns about the pace of expected Federal Reserve monetary tightening eased, while oil prices briefly pushed to new two-year highs above $75 on demand optimism.

Regional investors were sent scurrying Monday as they contemplated the US central bank's latest projections for hiking interest rates in light of the country's blockbuster economic recovery and sharp spike in inflation.

The Fed's "dot plot" forecast indicated liftoff in 2023 -- a year earlier than first flagged -- with some policymakers eyeing the end of 2022, while discussions on winding down its vast bond-buying programme are likely in the next few months.

Ultra-loose monetary policy by the Fed and other central banks, along with massive government spending, have been key pillars of the rally across global equities enjoyed since their nadir in April last year.

Observers said sharp losses in New York on Friday were largely reversed at the start of this week as traders may have felt they had oversold, with the general consensus still that the world economy is well on the recovery track and accommodative policies will remain in place for the time being.

"The bigger picture is that the Fed is just beginning to adjust its policy stance," Chris Iggo, at AXA Investment Managers, said. "The overall level of rates and liquidity should stay supportive for markets, but maybe less so than has been the case over the last year."

Tokyo led Asian gains, rallying more than three percent and almost wiping out Monday's losses, while Sydney and Jakarta were up more than one percent. Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei, Wellington, Mumbai, Manila, Bangkok and Jakarta also rose, though Hong Kong and Singapore struggled.

London edged up but Paris and Frankfurt slipped.

"If there is one thing the last 15 months has taught us, it is the power of the buy the dip strategy as central banks continue pouring free money into the world's financial system," said OANDA's Jeffrey Halley.

Powell's pledge of support

Analysts said there was a lower level of angst on trading floors after less hawkish comments from a number of Fed policymakers.

Fed boss Jerome Powell, in prepared remarks ahead of a House hearing Tuesday, pledged again the bank's continued support to ensure the "sustained improvement" in the economy is extended.

"We at the Fed will do everything we can to support the economy for as long as it takes to complete the recovery," Powell said in the testimony.

That came as Dallas Fed boss Robert Kaplan said he was keen on taking "our foot gently off the accelerator sooner rather than later" so as not to be forced into a sharp move down the line, while St Louis Fed chief James Bullard referred to taper talk taking place over several meetings, suggesting no imminent move.

And John Williams, head of the New York Fed, said he thought the inflation spike was largely down to the rebound in economic activity and should abate over time. 

"Markets have now had time to reassess Fed rhetoric, encouraged by more toned-down rhetoric from even the most hawkish Fed officials," said Tapas Strickland of National Australia Bank.

He added that the European Central Bank's rhetoric "also suggests it won't become hawkish anytime soon with a strategy review to be unveiled by September’s ECB Forum".

Brent crude prices dipped slightly, having earlier in the day broke above $75 for the first time since April 2019 as investors eye a surge in demand for the commodity as the global economy reopens, with strong rebounds in the United States, Europe and China major catalysts. 

"Demand optimism is now well established and a tightening of the market is very much in the spotlight," Vandana Hari, of Vanda Insights, said. "If there is a pause in this rally, it will likely come from the supply side."