* Graphic: World FX rates http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh
* Graphic: Foreign flows into Asian stocks https://tmsnrt.rs/3f2vwbA
* Tech-heavy South Korean, Taiwan stock markets fall most
* Malaysian 10-yr bond yields at highest since July 1, 2020
* Dollar firms, Indonesia's rupiah hits over nine-week low
By Rashmi Ashok
Feb 26 (Reuters) - Asian equities slid and bond yields
spiked on Friday after a sharp rise in U.S. Treasury yields, as
expectations for higher inflation and economic growth increased,
making investors doubt how long central banks would be able to
keep interest rates low.
Overnight, the 10-year yield US10YT=RR touched its highest
level in a year at 1.614%, causing a sell-off in U.S. equities.
"The bond market is signalling disbelief that the Fed could
continue keeping rates at such low levels in the face of a
recovering economy and rising commodity costs," analysts at OCBC
wrote in a note.
They warned that further turmoil in equity markets was
expected if bond yields continued rising as investors look to
rebalance their portfolios.
Rising bond yields threaten the allure of stocks' dividend
yield, while companies also face a higher debt-servicing burden
because of steeper borrowing costs, making investing in the
relatively riskier stocks less attractive overall.
High-yielding bond markets saw steeper selloffs, with
India's 10-year bond yield IN10YT=RR climbing to its highest
since August last year at 6.215%, from Thursday's close of
6.182%.
Malaysia's 10-year bond yields MY10YT=RR surged to 3.054%,
hitting their highest since July 1, 2020.
Indonesian yields, however, remained stable for a second
session after the Finance Minister on Wednesday said 2021
financing plans might be scaled back by tapping unspent funds
from 2020.
Indexes in South Korea .KS11 and Taiwan .TWII , whose
technology stocks have come under added pressure amid the spike
in global yields due to fears they may be over-valued, bore the
brunt of the sell-off, falling 3.3% and 2.9%, respectively.
Philippine stocks .PSI and the peso PHP= were the sole
gainers in the region on reopening for trade after a local
holiday on Thursday. The rise came after a subdued performance
through the week when regional stocks had seen bigger gains.
Malaysian stocks .KLSE also saw relatively thinner losses,
after data showed exports rose 6.6% in January, buoyed by higher
shipments of electrical and electronic goods as well as rubber
products, while imports slowed slightly. The growing view that ultra-low interest rates may be raised
sooner than expected supported the dollar =USD , which put
pressure on most Asian currencies.
The South Korean won KRW=KFTC slipped as much as 1.5% to a
three-week low, while the Indonesian rupiah IDR= fell 0.9% to
a more than nine-week low of 14,201 per dollar.
The Indian rupee INR=IN fell nearly 1% against the dollar.
The currency is set to end the week 0.5% weaker, after
six-consecutive weeks of strengthening amid improved economic
outlook and dollar weakness.
Thai markets were shut for a local holiday.
HIGHLIGHTS:
** In the Philippines, top index gainers are Bank of the
Philippine Islands BPI.PS up 5.83% and Robinsons Retail
Holdings Inc RRHI.PS up 4.72%
** Top losers on the Singapore STI .STI include: Venture
Corporation Ltd VENM.SI down 2.23% and Capitaland Ltd
CATL.SI down 2.17%
** Singapore's 10-year benchmark yield is up 4.7 basis
points at 1.352%
Asia stock indexes and
currencies at 0450 GMT
COUNTRY FX RIC FX FX INDE STOCKS STOCK
DAILY YTD % X DAILY S YTD
% % %
Japan JPY= +0.02 -2.78 <.N2 -2.84 6.80
25>
China