(Corrects spelling in graphic)
* MSCI global equity gauge retreats from near-record highs
* Hong Kong leads Asia lower, European shares set to follow
* Chilean peso falls as c.bank intervenes; most currencies
steady
* Asian stock markets: https://tmsnrt.rs/2zpUAr4
By Hideyuki Sano and Noah Sin
TOKYO/HONG KONG, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Asian shares slipped on
Friday, knocking a global stock index off its path to hitting an
all-time peak as investors turned cautious, fearing a new U.S.
law backing Hong Kong protesters could torpedo efforts to end
the U.S.-China trade war.
MSCI All Country world index .MIWD00000PUS , which
tracks shares in 49 countries, was down 0.39% at 548.48, less
than 0.4% away from all-time peak hit in January last year
before the start of U.S.-China trade war.
European stocks look set to start Friday lower with
pan-region Euro Stoxx 50 futures STXEc1 down 0.3% in early
trade, following a bleak Asian morning session.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan
.MIAPJ0000PUS fell more than 1%. Hong Kong .HSI led the dip
with losses of 2%. South Korean shares .KS11 lost 1.4% and
Japan's Nikkei .N225 eased 0.5%.
China's blue-chips .CSI300 gave up 1.3% a day before the
country reports manufacturing activity, which analysts polled by
Reuters expect to have shrunk for seventh straight month in
November. Markets were sold off due to uncertainty over how U.S.
markets will perceive the latest clash between Washington and
Beijing over Hong Kong.
Traders on Wall Street will commence a half-day session on
Friday following Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday. U.S. S&P 500
mini futures ESc1 were down 0.3%.
China warned the United States on Thursday it would take
"firm counter measures" in response to U.S. legislation backing
anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. Anthony Chan, chief Asia investment strategist at Union
Bancaire Privée in Hong Kong, said the market is still erring on
the side of caution especially as the year-end approaches.
"There is still downward pressure on earnings. That's why
when there is (negative) geopolitical news, some funds might
want to sell and lock in their performance," he said.
But on the whole, investors are now betting that while the
U.S. legislation spoils the mood, ultimately it remained in the
interest of both Washington and Beijing to move forward with
talks to get a trade deal.
"The working assumption for most investors is that this will
not derail the trade talks, given China is suffering from an
economic slowdown," said Norihiro Fujito, chief investment
strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities.
Sentiment in the region has enjoyed an additional boost from
a strong share performance this week by Alibaba Group 9988.HK ,
Asia's largest firm by market capitalisation. Alibaba has risen
as much as 16% since their IPO in Hong Kong on Tuesday.
Major currencies were kept in tight ranges amid a dearth of
any other significant developments in Sino-U.S. trade talks.
Against the yen, the dollar traded at 109.46 yen JPY= ,
near its six-month peak of 109.61 set on Wednesday.
The euro stood at $1.1009 EUR= , stuck in a tight range for
the past week.
The British pound traded at $1.2916 GBP=D4 , staying in its
$1.28-1.30 range since mid-October.
As trading in major currencies slumbers, their implied
volatilities, key gauges of expected swings measured by their
option prices, plumbed to new record lows this week.
Among emerging currencies, the Chilean peso's CLP= 3.5%
plunge this week to an all-time low, and brought its decline
during November to 10% following protests over inequality that
turned violent again this week.
In response, the central bank said it would start a
six-month programme of foreign currency sales from Monday in a
bid to stabilise the peso, earmarking $20 billion for the
programme. Oil prices were little changed on Friday but look set to
have one of the best performances in recent months in November,
with Brent futures LCOc1 up almost 5.5% month-on-month, which
would be the biggest gain since April.
U.S. crude futures CLc1 were little changed at $58.06 per
barrel. They have risen more than 7% this month.
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REFILED MSCI ACWI, MSCI AXJ Nov 29 2019 https://tmsnrt.rs/2XX6DXk
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(Editing by Sam Holmes & Simon Cameron-Moore)