RBA Ends QE, But Doesn’t Pivot Policy

Below gives key levels of markets in the second half of the Asia-Pac session:

• Nikkei 225 up 79.41 points at 27081.39
• ASX 200 up 34.368 points at 7006
• Shanghai Comp. is closed
• JGB 10-Yr future down 11 ticks at 150.6, yield up 0.2bp at 0.180%
• Aussie 10-Yr future down 0.5 tick at 98.080, yield up 0.8bp at 1.903%
• U.S. 10-Yr future +0-03+ at 128-02+, yield down 0.54bp at 1.771%
• WTI crude up $0.33 at $88.48, Gold up $5.81 at $1802.94
• USD/JPY down 16 pips at Y114.95
• FED’S GEORGE WANTS MAJOR BALANCE SHEET REDUCTION (MNI)
• FED'S BOSTIC: HALF-POINT RATE HIKE ISN'T HIS PREFERRED POLICY PATH (MARKETWATCH)
• FED’S BARKIN: BUSINESSES WOULD WELCOME HIGHER INTEREST RATES (CNBC)
• FED'S DALY SUPPORTS RATE LIFTOFF IN MARCH, WANTS OPTIONS OPEN ON RATE PATH (RTRS)
• RBA STAYS FIRM ON CASH RATE VIEW, DROPS QE (MNI)
• NO BOJ INTERVENTION NOW AS 10-YR JGB YIELD RISES (MNI)