All eyes are on tonight’s US unemployment numbers, aka the non farm payrolls, with some Japanese macroeconomic and political wobbles the only highlight in the region as mainland Chinese markets remain closed. The USD has remained somewhat strong from its safe haven surge as the Australian dollar tries but fails to get back above the 69 cent level.
Oil futures are lifting in the wake of more action in the Middle East as Brent crude advances above the $77USD per barrel level while gold is trying to comeback after its small retracement at the start of the week, now pushing above the $2660USD per ounce level:
Mainland Chinese share markets remain closed for the week but the Hang Seng Index advanced after its recent pullback, closing some 2% higher at 22571 points with Japanese stock markets in wait and see mode with the Nikkei 225 closing just 0.2% higher at 38635 points. Meanwhile the USDPY pair has slipped slightly to just above the 146 level:
Australian stocks fell back across the board as hesitation mounts with the ASX200 falling more than 0.7% to close the week out at 8150 points while the Australian dollar remains steady but under pressure here at the mid 68 level this afternoon:
S&P and Eurostoxx futures are down slightly going into the London session with the S&P500 four hourly chart showing momentum flat lining and price action in a waiting mood:
The economic calendar finishes the week tonight with the non-farm payroll or NFP print that the whole risk market complex hinges on each month.