In This Article:
* Asian stock markets : https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4
* Nikkei flat, S&P 500 futures -0.2%
* Markets narrow odds on 75 bp hike ahead of U.S. CPI
* Dollar resumes rise with Treasury yields
* Oil extends losses on demand worries
By Wayne Cole
SYDNEY, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Asian share markets were mostly softer on Monday and the dollar held firm after a stunning U.S. payrolls report pushed back against talk of recession but also bolstered the case for more super-sized rate hikes.
Markets quickly moved to price around a 70% chance the Federal Reserve will lift rates by 75 basis points in September, sending two-year yields up 20 basis points on Friday and further inverting the curve.
The blockbuster data only raised the stakes for the July U.S. consumer prices report due on Wednesday, which could see a slight pullback in headline growth, but likely a further acceleration in core inflation.
"Despite sluggish growth and an expected slide to a 0.2% m/m July CPI gain, the Fed will likely raise policy rates 75 bps at its September meeting," said Bruce Kasman, head of economic research at JPMorgan.
"The key question is whether it will decide that a material rise in the unemployment rate is necessary to achieve its objectives," he warned. "If this is the case, its guidance on rates will move significantly higher, alongside a message that it will likely prove to be less sensitive to near-term growth disappointments."
The risk haunted equity markets with S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures both down 0.2%.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dipped 0.5%, after three sessions of gains. Japan's Nikkei was flat and South Korea's KOSPI dipped 0.2%, while Chinese blue chips eased 0.1%.
EUROSTOXX 50 futures fared better and added 0.4%, while FTSE futures rose 0.2%.
There was little obvious market reaction to news that the U.S. Senate on Sunday passed a sweeping $430 billion bill intended to fight climate change after some compromises on taxation within the deal.
"The changes look unlikely to substantially change the net fiscal impact of the legislation, which continues to look likely to be less than 0.1% of GDP for the next several years, as new spending and new taxes roughly offset," said analysts at Goldman Sachs.
THE EXCEPTIONAL DOLLAR
Two-year Treasury yields were up at 3.25%, fully 40 basis points above 10-year yields.
Bonds also got a safe-haven bid due to unease over Beijing's sabre rattling against Taiwan as China conducts four days of military exercises around the island.