Equity markets, for years buoyed by post-crisis stimulus, have spiralled into the red as traders fret that the era of cheap cash is at an end. Hong Kong, which sank more than nine percent last week, was up 0.5 percent while Shanghai added 0.3 percent and Singapore rose 0.1 percent. Oil strugglesHowever, there are expectations that profit-taking will lead to further losses, with Brian Culpepper at James Investment Research warning: "Stocks are extremely expensive." Eyes are now on the release this week of US inflation figures, which market-watchers say will be key to future movements. Both main contracts were up Monday but they are more than 10 percent down from their recent highs touched in January.

Source: The Nation Bangkok February 12, 2018 03:00 UTC