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Asia Stocks Mixed As Global Politics Eyed, USD Keeps Risk-Off Bid

Asia Stocks Mixed As Global Politics Eyed, USD Keeps Risk-Off Bid

Asian Stocks Talking Points:

  • Asian stocks were mixed with Chinese names lower
  • The Brazilian Real made gains following the election of Jair Bolsonaro to the country’s Presidency
  • The Dollar kept its haven bid overall, but the likes of the Aussie and Kiwi crept back up

Find out what retail foreign exchange investors make of your favorite currency’s chances right now at the DailyFX Sentiment Page

Asia Pacific stock markets put in a mixed performance to the start the week, with Chinese mainboards under pressure still even as indexes elsewhere rose.

October is looking set to be a month of heavy falls for equity around the world though as worries linked to both global trade and rising US interest rates take a toll, especially on emerging market assets. Wall Street is looking at its worst month since the end of the financial crisis, s state of play which will probably keep a lid on any regional enthusiasm. However, some buyers clearly thought that the Nikkei 225, ASX 200 and Kospi were at a level worth buying on Monday.

The Nikkei added 0.4% and the ASX just over 1%. However, Shanghai and Hong Kong were lower, by 1.5 and 0.1%, respectively, paring earlier gains in the case of the Hang Seng. News that HSBC bank’s profits had risen by 28% in the third quarter slightly missed expectations and probably won’t lift some of the question marks investors have over the giant lender. Its shares have fallen 20% or so this year.

Australia’s ASX 200 printed new 2018 lows last week and, while it is holding on above them for the moment, seems unlikely to re-climb its previous significant high anytime soon.

Asia stocks mixed as global politics eyed, usd keeps risk-off bid

That comes in at 5961, barring the way back to the crucial 6000 level abandoned on October 10 after a five- month stay above the line

Investor focus remains on political developments around the world. The far-right’s Jair Bolsonaro becamse Brazil’s President-elect on Sunday in yet another vote seen as a slap for the establishment. Still, the country’s currency has made gains and a Tokyo-listed Brazilian stock fund made strong gains on news of his election, which was expected.

The markets are clearly prepared to give Bolsonaro the benefit of any doubts they may have, but the scale of fiscal and economic reform he faces seems daunting.

Turning from a new leader to one of the world’s longest-serving elected premiers, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s junior coalition partners have given her Christian Democrats until next year to deliver better policy results, with their alliance threatened if they don’t. Both parties suffered in Sunday’s regional votes.

The US Dollar was generally well bid with risk appetite fragile although the likes of the Australian and New Zealand Dollar made small gains as the Asian session went on. Emerging market units remain very jumpy.

Gold prices inched lower as more local stock markets went green while oil prices also edged back up, even if worries about likely levels of global demand continue to weigh.

Still to come on the data slate are details of US consumption spending for September, and UK mortgage-approval and consumer credit numbers.

Resources for Traders

Whether you’re new to trading or an old hand DailyFX has plenty of resources to help you. There’s our trading sentiment indicator which shows you live how IG clients are positioned right now. We also hold educational and analytical webinars and offer trading guides, with one specifically aimed at those new to foreign exchange markets. There’s also a bitcoin guide. Be sure to make the most of them all. They were written by our seasoned trading experts and they’re all free.

— Written by David Cottle, DailyFX Research

Follow David on Twitter@DavidCottleFX or use the Comments section below to get in touch!

Published at Mon, 29 Oct 2018 05:00:00 +0000

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VOISE Music Sharing and Monetization Platform Announces ICO

Music-focused, blockchain-based platform VOISE has announced a crowdsale launch for its new Voisium (VSM) tokens. The crowdsale commences May 6, 2017, and is a vital part of VOISE’s alpha stage roadmap, which relates to platform development and the release of a new range of client software.

[Note: This is a press release]


Built on Ethereum blockchain, VOISE is primarily focused on representing independent musicians’ interests while providing music lovers affordable access to unique content.

The VOISE platform will offer artists the freedom to monetize their content while bypassing the previously unavoidable commissions and charges laid down by record labels and other third parties.

VOISE’s ethically motivated business model is designed to give 100% of the platform’s revenue back to the artists and musicians. Because the platform is geared towards musicians and not technicians, users can expect a simple, intuitive platform design, which can be used easily and without any special skills or Industry knowledge.

VOISE platform

Blockchain and cryptocurrency technology are still somewhat untapped in relation to the music industry, and VOISE believes that there is enormous potential in integrating them together. VOISE will include support for fiat currencies within the platform, in the interest of ensuring familiarity with existing infrastructure and facilitate the transition between technologies.

VOISE’s business model is designed to stimulate a strong interest among independent artists, and as a result, the selection of available music for members is broader and vivid compared to limited mainstream titles offered by other platforms. VOISE enables artists to upload content instantly for distribution, and the VOISE Radio feature provides unlimited free and paid content for music lovers to enjoy.

The VOISE platform’s native currency, Voisuim (VSM), is created using Ethereum smart contracts and will be available for investors to purchase during the impending one month-long crowdsale. The platform has stipulated that there will be a maximum supply of 100 million VSM tokens available, which should encourage an appreciating value in the mid to long term. After the completion of the crowdsale VSM tokens will become tradable on a number of different platforms, against all other cryptocurrencies.

ICO investors will receive 160 VSM for every ETH they contribute but those joining early can take advantage of a 25% early-bird bonus during the first 16 hours of the ICO. Proceeds from Voisium crowdsale will be reinvested back to support the continued improvement of platform features, one of which will be the inclusion of fiat currency support.

Some of the currencies that will be supported on the VOISE platform include USD, EUR, and GBP. In the interest of familiarity, users have the option to switch from fiat to VSM, as they start to understand how the cryptocurrency works and applicable conversion rates.

VOISE new platform aims to bring some of the benefits of blockchain technology to an Industry that is fraught with fees and regulations. The decentralized platform seeks to offer artists the freedom to monetize and publish their music without the strings of industry attempting to control their every move.


Images courtesy of Voise.it, AdobeStock

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