Global Markets:
- Asian stock markets: Nikkei up 0.45 %, Shanghai Composite fell 0.05 %, Hang Seng declined 0.35 %, ASX 200 rose 0.50 %
- Commodities: Gold at $1213 (-0.60 %), Silver at $16.22 (-0.75 %), WTI Oil at $49.15 (-0.70 %), Brent Oil at $49.20 (-0.80 %)
- Rates: US 10 year yield at 1.83, UK 10 year yield at 1.41, German 10 year yield at 0.14
News & Data:
- Japan CPI (YoY) Apr: 0.3% (exp -0.4% prev -0.1%)
- Japan CPI Ex-Fresh Food (YoY) Apr: -0.3% (exp -0.4% prev -0.3%)
- UK GfK Consumer Confidence (May): -1 (exp -4 prev -5)
- China Industrial Profits (YoY) Apr: 4.2% (prev 11.1%)
- PBoC Fixes Yuan At 6.5490 (prev 6.5552)
- Asia stocks edge up after upbeat U.S. data, dollar sags – RTRS
- Wall Street hits 'pause' after two-day surge – RTRS
- Oil prices retreat from $50 on oversupply concerns – RTRS
- Dollar consolidates as bulls await Yellen speech – RTRS
Markets Update:
The US Dollar is consolidating ahead of the speech of Fed Chair Yellen, today at 15:30 London time. EUR/USD traded in a 1.1185-1.12 range overnight, while GBP/USD consolidated between 1.4655 and 1.4680. The British Pound weakened slightly yesterday, after a softer than expected UK GDP print.
USD/JPY volatility has been subdued in the past 12 hours, as it traded within a 109.60 and 110.20 range. Key resistance lies at 110.60, while support is seen at 108.50. Where it will go from here will likely depend on how hawkish or dovish Yellen will be in her speech today.
AUD/USD has been trading in a rather tight range this week. It broke back above 0.72 yesterday, but ran out of momentum at 0.7240. Resistance is seen at 0.7260 and 0.73, while support lies at 0.7145 and 0.71. NZD/USD bounced after briefly trading below 0.67 yesterday. It consolidated between 0.6740 and 0.6760 in Asia.
Upcoming Events:
- 13:30 BST – US GDP
- 15:00 BST – US Michigan Consumer Sentiment
- 15:30 BST – Fed Chair Yellen speaks
