F. Yap Securities / 2TradeAsia

Mixed trades might characterize Thursday’s trades, as investors heed for the latest inflation gauge data due Friday.

Barely a few points shy of the 7,000 zone, market participants are seen to monitor crosses above this mark while heeding for other momentum support.

Activity may stay range-bound in the absence of new leads, as most investors prepare for the Lenten pause.

Market participants will monitor prospective crosses above the 7,000 zone, given the series of net foreign buying support in select large-caps.

Positive sentiment for less-restrictive monetary policies this year might reverberate in the region, given the Fed’s move to adopt a status quo on its widely-tracked interest rate.

Participants will check whether the market would continue its sideways trail, or sentiment would glide to Wall Street’s overnight incline, ahead of the Fed’s meeting conclusion on interest rate policy.

Participants might laud the passage on final reading CREATE MORE, especially with the lowering of corporate income tax to 20%.

Participants might adopt a cautious stance this week, ahead of guidance from the US FOMC meeting on 19-20 March (US time).

Market players will monitor possible cross above the 7,000 mark, to check whether profit-taking might emerge.

Eyes are set on possible move above the 7,000 zone, as investors check on continuity of Friday’s momentum.

Having softened below the 6,900 mark, participants would check on the likelihood for continued supply pressure at current levels versus fresh buying support.

Sideways trend is seen, as investors sift through earnings results from listed firms, while some might glide to Wall Street’s softer tone.

Stabilization within 6,850-6,950 zone might be seen on the interim, as part of liquidity finds its way into equities.

Sentiment might take its cue from Wall Street’s incline, after PCE index was in-step with estimates (+0.3% in January).

Another range-bound session is seen, with the month-end portfolio rebalancing.