Global stocks grapple with political turmoil in South Korea, France
· CNA · JoinLONDON :Global shares were mixed and the euro was steady on Wednesday as markets digested political turmoil in South Korea, where martial law was imposed then lifted hours later, and in France, where a no-confidence vote looked set to topple the government.
In South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy, lawmakers called on President Yoon Suk Yeol to resign or face impeachment after he declared martial law late on Tuesday only to reverse the move hours later.
The crisis left South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index down 1.4 per cent, taking its year-to-date losses to over 7 per cent and making it the worst performing major stock market in Asia this year.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan, which counts Samsung Electronics as one of its top constituents, fell 0.1 per cent.
Most Asian markets aside from South Korea rose.
The won currency, buoyed by suspected central bank intervention, steadied but remained close to the two-year low against the dollar that it hit late on Tuesday.
South Korea's finance ministry said it was prepared to deploy unlimited liquidity into financial markets. Reports said the financial regulator was ready to deploy 10 trillion won ($7.1 billion) in a stock market stabilisation fund.
"Martial law itself has been lifted, but this incident creates more uncertainty in the political landscape and the economy," said ING senior economist Min Joo Kang.
Meanwhile, in Europe, stocks edged up 0.2 per cent and the euro traded near a two-year low ahead of the no-confidence vote in France.
French lawmakers are all but certain to oust the fragile coalition of Prime Minister Michel Barnier, deepening the political crisis in the euro zone's second-largest economy.
The debate starts at 1500 GMT in parliament, and the outcome is likely to be clear by 1900 GMT.
Barring a late surprise, Barnier's government will be France's first to be forced out by a no-confidence vote in more than 60 years, at a time when the country is struggling to tame a massive budget deficit.
The single currency, last at $1.0505, has fallen 4 per cent since the start of November, when investors began bracing for tariff-heavy policies from the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
"The general sense is that this vote could be successful," Deutsche Bank analysts wrote. "If so, there isn’t an obvious route forward on what happens next."
French 10-year government bonds were steady.
Wall Street futures pointed to gains, with S&P 500 e-mini futures gaining 0.3 per cent to hit a record high.
US POLICY PATH
Away from political turmoil, investors are hoping for more clues on the policy path the Federal Reserve will likely take next year, with a much-anticipated November employment report due on Friday.
U.S. job openings increased solidly in October while layoffs dropped by the most in 1-1/2 years, data showed on Tuesday, suggesting the labour market is slowing, even as another survey showed employers were hesitant to hire more workers.
Markets are now ascribing a 72 per cent chance of a 25 basis point cut this month, with 80 bps of cuts expected by the end of next year.
The spotlight now turns to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who will give on Wednesday what are expected to be his last public remarks ahead of the meeting.
In currencies, the dollar index, which measures the U.S. currency against six rivals, added 0.1 per cent to 106.5.
Oil prices firmed as market participants weighed up geopolitical tensions and the prospect of OPEC+ extending supply cuts against weaker demand.
Brent crude futures rose 0.3 per cent to $73.90 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose by the same amount to $70.12. [O/R]
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