Session Recap: Chinese banks drag equities lower on tightening policy fears; Kuroda stands by

FXstreet.com (Barcelona) - Asian markets today were dominated on massive Chinese equity markets sell-off, Shanghai down -2.53%, and Hong-Kong -1.27%, while Tokyo -1.15%, and Australian ASX -0.57%, which has dragged AUD/USD lower with it. Possible tightening policy near from PBoC has sparkled fears in credit markets.

At the same time Kuroda had a speech before Japanese parliament, not giving many more news on next policy measures, but just repeating his usual speech, and even sending some warning signs, following worst retail sales data in Japan since late 2011. USD/JPY printed fresh session lows few pips below the 94.00 handle.

At the same time and despite the risk aversion seen in Asia, USD showed weakness against Euro, Pound and Yen, while Oil holds steady at fresh 1-month highs above the $96 mark. Markets are also expectant on first day for Cyprus where commercials banks will open doors after 12 consecutive days being closed.

New Zealand February building permits +1.9% m/m (vs. +3.0% expected)

Japan overnight press: Abe to decide on sales tax hike in fall

Forex: EUR/USD continues with its south route as Cyprus great bank opening comes

Forex: NZD/USD posts first daily decline in a week

Overnight press: North Korea cuts another phone line with South

Japan press reports the LDP has drafted a proposal to revise the BOJ law

Forex: EUR/JPY stalls above 120.00 for the moment

Forex: AUD/JPY remains above 98.00

Australia March TD/MI trimmed mean inflation gauge +0.1% m/m, +1.8% y/y

Japan Feb Retail Trade (YoY) decreases to -2.3% vs -1.1%

Japan Foreign bond investment declines to ¥-975.2B in Mar 22 from ¥-495.1B

Forex Flash: Oil forming a very bearish pattern - FXA

Kuroda: uncertainty over Japan economy still high

Forex Flash: RBA to hold rates steady next – NAB

Shanghai composite falling hard – not a positive for the AUD

Forex: EUR/AUD keeps pushing below 1.2250

Fall on Chinese banking stocks related to an article in the WSJ

Forex: USD/JPY dips to 94.10 lows post-Kuroda

Forex: AUD/USD turns bearish as stocks decline in Asia

Moody’s affirms Portugal’s Ba3 rating, negative outlook

Chinese equity markets now almost 3.5% lower