After Monday's collapse in Japan’s Nikkei today was a case study in ‘Turnaround Tuesday’. The Nikkei 225 surged as soon as the cash market opened, so much so that a circuit breaker trading halt was called in futures after the rapid opening jump higher. The Nikkei continued to rise. The yen slipped lower, with USD/JPY rising to around 146.50 before dropping back.

Some of the credit for the stabilisation of markets can probably go to Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President Mary Daly. Daly spoke in measured terms, saying rate cuts lie ahead in coming meetings, that the labour market is slowing but “not falling off a cliff”, that policy needs to be pro-active, and other soothing remarks.

From Japan today were data showing workers’ real wages rose for the first time in more than two years. This is a precursor (but not a guarantee) to a recovery in consumption and the emergence of a positive growth cycle long sought after by Bank of Japan and other officials.

Still to come is the Reserve Bank of Australia policy decision and accompanying statement, the quarterly Statement on Monetary Policy (SoMP) and Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Bullock’s press conference. A ‘hawkish hold’ is expected from the Bank.

Nikkei 225 wrap 06 August 2024 2