Global Markets:
- Asian stock markets: Nikkei down 0.10 %, Shanghai Composite lost 0.15 %, Hang Seng rose 0.15 %, ASX 200 fell 0.05 %
- Commodities: Gold at $1262 (+0.05 %), Silver at $17.16 (-0.15 %), WTI Oil at $50.90 (-0.40 %), Brent Oil at $53.65 (-0.40 %)
- Rates: US 10-year yield at 2.24, UK 10-year yield at 1.08, German 10-year yield at 0.40
News & Data
- Australia ANZ Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence 15-May: 110.5 (prev 109.4)
- Japan Nikkei Manufacturing PMI May P: 52.0 (prev 52.7)
- PBoC Fixes USDCNY Reference Rate At 6.8661 (prev fix 6.8849 prev close 6.8892)
- Pound sags vs yen after Manchester blast, euro at six-month highs – RTRS
Markets Update:
The British Pound came under pressure following an explosion at a concert in Manchester (UK). 19 people have died, and over 50 were injured. The police are currently treating this as terrorist incident. GBP/USD fell from 1.30 to 1.2973.
Risk appetite decreased in the stock markets as well, with most Asian indices down on the day. Gold was in demand in Asia, but is still struggling with resistance ahead of $1265. Should it break above it, a rally towards $1290 seems likely.
The Euro remains strong. Comments from German Chancellor Merkel that the currency was too weak boosted it additionally. While the charts are suggesting overbought conditions, EUR/USD is not showing any signs of weakness yet. Resistance now lies at 1.13, while support is seen at 1.1220 and 1.1180.
The Australian and New Zealand Dollar are bid again as commodities are recovering. AUD/USD broke above 0.7470 resistance and NZD/USD rose above 0.70. The next key levels to watch are 0.7450 and 0.7040/50 respectively.
Upcoming Events:
- 07:00 BST – Swiss Trade Balance
- 07:00 BST – German GDP
- 08:00 BST – French Manufacturing PMI
- 08:00 BST – French Services PMI
- 08:30 BST – German Manufacturing PMI
- 08:30 BST – German Services PMI
- 09:00 BST – Euro Zone Manufacturing PMI
- 09:00 BST – Euro Zone Services PMI
- 09:00 BST – German IFO Business Expectations
- 09:00 BST – German IFO Current Assessment
- 09:00 BST – German IFO Business Climate
- 10:00 BST – UK Inflation Report Hearings
- 14:45 BTS – US Services PMI
- 14:45 BST – US Manufacturing PMI
- 15:00 BST – US New Home Sales
- 15:00 BST – US Richmond Manufacturing Index
- 20:15 BST – FOMC Member Kashkari speaks
- 22:00 BST – FOMC Member Harker speaks
