Morning Update – 12/05/2017 – by Arjun Lakhanpal

Morning all.. Wall St was off to a very weak open but calmed into the close to finish down just 0.22%. Asian stocks saw the Nikkei down nearly 0.5% in a quiet session that saw FX rates tuck in extremely tight ranges as we wait for some big US data later today. USDJPY couldn’t hold 114.00 as US yields dipped in NY and the Nikkei fell. BoJ’s Amamiya (Exec Dir overseeing Mon Pol): demerits of ultra-easy policy could be to distort functioning of markets and create asset bubbles but does not see these at present; BoJ has necessary tools to engineer a smooth exit from massive stimulus program; too early to debate specific exit strategy; stimulus exit faces two challenges incl to normalize balance sheet and push up rates; still long way from 2% tgt; exp to achieve price tgt in 2018. Sources: China Banking Regulator launched emergency risk assessment of lenders’ new biz practices this week as part of efforts to crack down on shadow banking. Markets are very quiet waiting for US data when we get a look at CPI and Retail sales. Oil is up 0.3% overnight and US 10yr yields hold at 2.38%. It has been extremely quiet in Asia. This morning we get a look at Spanish CPI and EU Industrial production but all eyes will be on US data later.. Good luck..