Shares in Asia-Pacific fell during early trading on Wednesday. All major stocks plunged due to a number of reasons.
Market participants expect the leading regulators in the region to review their ultra-easy monetary policies in the near future amid an increase in the inflation rate. The recent sharp rise in bond yields has had a profound effect on the entire stock market.
The new stimulus package aimed to provide solid support for the economy is the reason for growing inflation concerns. A rise in bond yields is pushing inflation to levels unseen for decades.
Meanwhile, Fed's Chair Jerome Powell announced plans to keep US monetary policy dovish in the short term. Earlier, the central bank loosened its monetary policy in order to help the American economy to go through the crisis provoked by the coronavirus pandemic. On top of that, the US inflation rate, as well as the labor market, has not yet returned to its target levels. Moreover, the indicators are far from reaching the target. This fact causes concerns over an early economic recovery.
Asian markets doubt that interest rates in the United States will remain on a low level. They are mostly concerned about rising bond yields.
The Nikkei 225 lost 1.29%.
China's SSE Composite Index dropped by 1.66%. The Hang Seng Index fell by 2.85%. It became known that the Hong Kong authorities intend to allocate some HK$120 billion, or $15.5 billion, this year in order to support the regional economy that has been in recession for the last two years. The previous fiscal year will end up in March 2021. Over tthis period of time, the budget deficit of Hong Kong has expanded to the highest level of HK$257.6 billion. According to preliminary forecasts, the deficit is likely to decrease to HK$101.6 billion if the government approves larger stimulus measures.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) plunged by 1.8%.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index fell by 0.9%.
