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1 Feb 2016
Aussie ends 4-day winning-streak on China data, UK PMI eyed
FXStreet (Mumbai) - The persistent risk-condition in Asia came under pressure following the release of weaker set of manufacturing PMI reports from China, with the Aussie suffering the most among the G10 currencies. While the euro emerged the top performer amid wide-spread risk-aversion.
Key headlines in Asia
China manufacturing PMI for January worse-than-expected
China Jan Caixin PMI remains low, beats expectations
Dominating themes in Asia – centered on JPY, AUD and NZD
A renewed bout of risk-aversion hit Asia this Monday, and investors gave up risky assets such as equities, oil and industrial metals in favour of low-yielding/safer bets such as gold, euro and the Swiss franc. The yen was an exception among the safe-havens today as the recent BOJ’s surprise rate cut moves continues to weigh on the Japanese currency, and thus, the USD/JPY pair remains indifferent to the persisting risk-averse conditions. The major trades 0.07% higher at 121.20, capped by 200-DMA placed at 121.47.
While the AUD/USD pair was the biggest loser as renewed sell-off in commodities on the back of worse-than expected China PMI data continues to hurt the resource-linked Aussie. NZD/USD also remained in the red and hovered below 0.65 handle amid China-led risk-off trades. China’s official PMI gauge slid to a three-year low of 49.4 in January, from 49.7 a month earlier. While the Caixin PMI came in at 48.4 in January, against 48.2 in December, although remained deep in contraction.
Traders sought safety amid China-led uncertainties and preferred to hold safer-bets, with the EUR/USD rising 0.15% to 1.0850, while gold gains 0.35% to $ 1122 levels. Among the Asian equities, the Nikkei extended its post-BOJ rally and rose +1.75%, while ASX 200 index pared gains and now trades +0.73%. The Chinese equities are back in the red, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite down nearly -2%.
Heading into Europe and North America
An eventful start to the week ahead, with the EUR calendar filled with plenty of risk events, including a raft of final manufacturing PMIs from across the Euro area economies. While the main market mover in the European session ahead is expected to be the UK manufacturing PMI report.
The flash PMI for Germany's manufacturing sector activity recorded 52.1, with the indicator expected to hold in the final result. While the UK manufacturing PMI is seen heading slightly lower to 51.8 from 51.9 recorded in December.
Looking towards the North American session, we have a series of US macro updates for release, with the Fed’s favorite inflation gauge, the core PCE price index to kick-off a busy NY session. While, the ISM manufacturing PMI will follow along with final PMI and construction spending data.
Besides, ECB President Draghi is due to testify about the 2015 ECB Annual Report before the European Parliament, in Strasbourg. While FOMC Member Fischer is also scheduled to speak about the US economy and monetary policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, in New York.
Key headlines in Asia
China manufacturing PMI for January worse-than-expected
China Jan Caixin PMI remains low, beats expectations
Dominating themes in Asia – centered on JPY, AUD and NZD
A renewed bout of risk-aversion hit Asia this Monday, and investors gave up risky assets such as equities, oil and industrial metals in favour of low-yielding/safer bets such as gold, euro and the Swiss franc. The yen was an exception among the safe-havens today as the recent BOJ’s surprise rate cut moves continues to weigh on the Japanese currency, and thus, the USD/JPY pair remains indifferent to the persisting risk-averse conditions. The major trades 0.07% higher at 121.20, capped by 200-DMA placed at 121.47.
While the AUD/USD pair was the biggest loser as renewed sell-off in commodities on the back of worse-than expected China PMI data continues to hurt the resource-linked Aussie. NZD/USD also remained in the red and hovered below 0.65 handle amid China-led risk-off trades. China’s official PMI gauge slid to a three-year low of 49.4 in January, from 49.7 a month earlier. While the Caixin PMI came in at 48.4 in January, against 48.2 in December, although remained deep in contraction.
Traders sought safety amid China-led uncertainties and preferred to hold safer-bets, with the EUR/USD rising 0.15% to 1.0850, while gold gains 0.35% to $ 1122 levels. Among the Asian equities, the Nikkei extended its post-BOJ rally and rose +1.75%, while ASX 200 index pared gains and now trades +0.73%. The Chinese equities are back in the red, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite down nearly -2%.
Heading into Europe and North America
An eventful start to the week ahead, with the EUR calendar filled with plenty of risk events, including a raft of final manufacturing PMIs from across the Euro area economies. While the main market mover in the European session ahead is expected to be the UK manufacturing PMI report.
The flash PMI for Germany's manufacturing sector activity recorded 52.1, with the indicator expected to hold in the final result. While the UK manufacturing PMI is seen heading slightly lower to 51.8 from 51.9 recorded in December.
Looking towards the North American session, we have a series of US macro updates for release, with the Fed’s favorite inflation gauge, the core PCE price index to kick-off a busy NY session. While, the ISM manufacturing PMI will follow along with final PMI and construction spending data.
Besides, ECB President Draghi is due to testify about the 2015 ECB Annual Report before the European Parliament, in Strasbourg. While FOMC Member Fischer is also scheduled to speak about the US economy and monetary policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, in New York.