Australia:
Australian August jobs data out yesterday was ahead of expectations showing a leap of 54,200. That’s the largest jump for 2 years and substantially higher than the 15-20,000 increase forecasted. This was the 11th straight month of gains, the longest streak in 23 years. Read more
Major Economies – 8th September 2017
Australia
Australian data this week has been a little mixed but the Australian dollar has now managed to hold over the 0.8000 level against the USD. On Tuesday the RBA keep interest rates on hold at 1.5% as widely expected but the accompanying statement was more hawkish than many expected and overnight price action saw the AUD break above 0.800 to an 0.8026 high. Read more
FX Update: North Korean missiles fly over Japan!
Overview
The eagerly awaited Jackson Hole addresses by central bankers, Yellen and Draghi on Friday night failed to meet market expectations around supplying clues to the timing of tightening moves. Rate hike comments were side lined as they both appeared to work in parallel to deliver a clear message on a different (and perhaps slightly less market-sensitive) topic: financial system regulation. Read more
FX Update: NZD remains subdued ahead of the election
Overview
U.S. stocks surged higher to begin the week as Hurricane Irma came ashore in Florida with a less catastrophic result than anticipated and the perceived threat of a North Korean missile test failed to materialize. As Florida dealt with one of the worst storms in its history, investors took a separate and distinct outlook away from the potential human toll. Read more
FX Update: What a difference a day makes
Overview
What a “difference a day (or two) makes”. The disappointment from the weaker than expected US payroll figure on Friday was quickly forgotten by Sunday as news came through of an atomic bomb test by North Korea. Read more
Economies of Note
Australia
Australian dollar trading has been choppy over the last 24 hours ranging from 0.7871 to 0.7950, initially influenced by better-than-expected Chinese manufacturing PMI and Australian private capex figures. This uptick, however, turned out to be short-lived with a drop to 0.7871 a major support level. Read more