Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

Forex - Aussie Jumps On Jobs Data, China GDP Awaited

Published 19/10/2017, 12:16 pm
Updated 19/10/2017, 12:22 pm
© Reuters.  Aussie jumps on jobs

© Reuters. Aussie jumps on jobs

Investing.com - The Aussie jumped after jobs data on Thursday in Asia and ahead of China GDP and other key economic data from a key trading partner.

AUD/USD traded at 0.7867, up 0.27%. USD/JPY changed hands at 112.91, down 0.03%. EUR/USD traded at 1.1813, up 0.21%.

The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, fell 0.15% to 93.16.

In Japan, the trade balance came in at a surplus of ¥670 billion, wider than the ¥560 billion surplus seen for September. Australia reported jobs data with 19,800 workers added, compared to 15,000 under employment change expected, helping the unemployment rate dip to 5.5% from 5.6%.

Ahead in China, third quarter GDP is expected to show a gain of 1.7% on quarter and 6.8% rise on year, while industrial production is expected to post a 6.2% increase in September and fixed asset investment is seen up 7.7%. Retail sales in China are expected up 10.2%

The dollar fell below breakeven against a basket of major currencies after data showed ongoing weakness in the housing sector but losses were capped by gains in U.S. treasury yields on speculation over the next Fed chair.

The dollar was on track to end to its longest daily winning streak in nearly three weeks on the back of weaker than expected housing data.

The Commerce Department said Tuesday U.S. homebuilding fell 4.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.127 million units in September, well below economists’ estimates of a 0.5% decline.

The report also highlighted a sharp 4.5% slump in building permits to a rate of 1.215 million units. That was below estimates of a fall to 1.245 million units.

A sharp rise in U.S. Treasury yields, however, limited downside momentum in the dollar as speculation continues to mount that the next Fed chair will adopt a more hawkish stance on monetary policy than current Fed chair Janet Yellen.

“Speculation over the identity of the next Fed chair is helping to turn the outlook for the dollar more positive again, with a relatively more hawkish (certainly more than Janet Yellen) John Taylor an increasing possibility. his is helping to drive 2-year Treasury yields ever higher and the dollar stronger.”

The dollar could come under additional pressure later in the session as investors await the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, a report on economic and inflationary conditions across the twelve Federal Reserve districts.

Inflation has lagged the Federal Reserve’s target of 2% raising uncertainty over the pace of future interest rate increases.

The euro and pound were the main beneficiary of dollar weakness supported by investor expectations that both the European Central Bank and Bank of England will tighten monetary policy sooner-rather-than later.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.