Asian equities receive meagre inflows in October amid recession worries

ASIAN equities saw meagre inflows in October after massive selling in the previous month, and analysts expect fears of a global recession and a stronger US dollar to weigh on near-term money flows into the region.

Data from stock exchanges in Taiwan, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea showed foreigners bought equities worth a net US$53 million last month. In September, they had sold shares worth a net US$8.8 billion.

Last month, the MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares fell 1.97 per cent, compared with the MSCI World’s 6 per cent gain.

“Headwinds to Asia intensified owing to enhanced US curbs on Chinese companies sourcing US technology and continued doubts about China’s economic recovery,” said Manishi Raychaudhuri, head of APAC equity research at BNP Paribas.

South Korea received the highest inflow of US$2.1 billion, while Indonesia and Thailand got US$729 million and US$196 million, respectively. Taiwanese equities witnessed a huge outflow of US$2.9 billion.

Destocking in the information and communication technology sector is massive, hitting many Taiwanese companies in the semiconductor sector, said Alicia Garcia-Herrero, chief economist for Asia-Pacific at Natixis.

Vietnam, the Philippines, and India also faced outflows last month.

“Flows into Asia, especially North Asia, remain challenging in the face of DM (Developed market) recession concerns and a strengthening USD,” said BNP’s Raychaudhuri.

“Both drivers are likely to sustain in the near term.” REUTERS