SINGAPORE, May 23 (Reuters) – Hawkish comments by U.S.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and weakness in China’s
factory activity rattled Asian markets on Thursday, sending
stock prices down, the U.S. dollar to three-year highs, and
Japanese government bond yields to their highest in a year.

Stock and bond markets took their cue from the drop in U.S.
equities and Treasuries after Bernanke’s remarks at a
Congressional hearing sparked worries of an earlier than
expected reduction in U.S. monetary stimulus.

SINGAPORE, May 23 (Reuters) – Japanese government bonds
plunged on Thursday, taking yields to their highest in a year
and leading a selloff in bonds globally after Federal Reserve
Chairman Ben Bernanke’s remarks sparked worries of a reduction
in U.S. monetary stimulus.

Bernanke’s comments, suggesting the Fed’s massive bond
purchases could be scaled back in the next few policy meetings
if the economy improves further, triggered a reaction across a
swathe of markets, lifting the dollar to a three-year high
versus a basket of currencies and the U.S. 10-year Treasury
yield to the highest in two months.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Japanese government bond prices dived and 10-year JGB futures tumbled a full point, prompting the Tokyo Stock Exchange to temporarily suspend trade as the dollar hit a near three-year high versus a basket of currencies on Thursday.

After the resumption of trade, 10-year JGB futures recouped some of their losses but were still down 0.71 point at 141.19. The 10-year JGB yield jumped to as high as 1.0 percent, its highest level since April last year.

SINGAPORE, May 23 (Reuters) – Japanese government bond
prices dived and 10-year JGB futures tumbled a full point,
prompting the Tokyo Stock Exchange to temporarily suspend trade
as the dollar hit a near three-year high versus a basket of
currencies on Thursday.

After the resumption of trade, 10-year JGB futures recouped
some of their losses but were still down 0.71 point at 141.19
. The 10-year JGB yield jumped to as high as 1.0 percent
, its highest level since April last year.

SINGAPORE, May 22 (Reuters) – Some Asian stock markets rose
on Wednesday following a positive lead from Wall Street, with
Japan’s Nikkei reaching a 5-1/2 year high and staying firm as
the Bank of Japan stood pat after unleashing massive stimulus
last month.

European stocks are expected to inch lower with markets
taking a breather from a month-long rally before U.S. Federal
Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s testimony to Congress.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Asian stocks rose on Wednesday following a positive lead from Wall Street, with Japan’s Nikkei reaching a fresh 5-1/2 year high and clinging to its gains as the Bank of Japan stood pat after unleashing massive stimulus last month.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS rose 0.1 percent, reversing some of Tuesday’s 0.4 percent decline. The South Korean market .KS11 climbed 0.8 percent.

SINGAPORE, May 21 (Reuters) – “Will he or won’t he?” is the
question investors want answered at Wednesday’s Congressional
testimony by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, as suspense
builds on whether the Fed will soon start tapering its
bond-buying stimulus scheme – as hinted at by a Fed regional
president last week.

The dollar inched higher versus a basket of currencies on
Tuesday but stayed below a three-year high, as investors ponder
if Bernanke might reveal the timing of any wind-down at his
appearance before the Joint Economic Committee before Congress
takes its Memorial Day recess.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – The dollar nursed losses versus a basket of currencies on Tuesday, having retreated the previous day as traders pared back expectations that U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke would hint at tapering bond buying this week.

The market’s focus is shifting to Bernanke’s testimony to Congress on Wednesday after recent comments by Fed officials fuelled speculation the U.S. central bank may trim its bond purchases sooner than expected.

SINGAPORE, May 21 (Reuters) – The dollar nursed losses
versus a basket of currencies on Tuesday, having retreated the
previous day as traders pared back expectations that U.S.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke would hint at tapering
bond buying this week.

The market’s focus is shifting to Bernanke’s testimony to
Congress on Wednesday after recent comments by Fed officials
fuelled speculation the U.S. central bank may trim its bond
purchases sooner than expected.

SINGAPORE, May 20 (Reuters) – The yen edged higher on Monday
after Japan’s economics minister said further weakness in the
yen could harm households, while Asian shares rose in response
to U.S. equities rallying on upbeat economic data.

European shares were seen rising at the open on Monday.
Financial spreadbetter IG expected Britain’s FTSE 100 to
open 0.3 percent higher, Germany’s DAX to open 0.7
percent higher, and France’s CAC 40 to gain 0.5 percent.