- Australia retail sales -0.2%
- September building approvals +2.7%
- China services index falls to 56.5
- UK Nationwide consumer confidence unchanged
- BOJ- deflation low rates here to stay
- Gold steadies after big overnight jump
- Regional bourses generally moderately higher
Another sleep-fest in Asian FX trade with only the AUD/USD providing some volatility after the release of disappointing retail sales figures.
The AUD/USD fell swiftly through .8990 and immediately traded close to .8950 on some interbank platforms before rebounding just as quickly. It has since traded quietly around its session equilibrium point at .9025. Range .8958/.9046.
EUR/USD has traded a very tight 1.4704/36 range with talk of decent sized offers around 1.4750. Sterling has been trading in a 1.6403/41 range against the USD and the Nationwide cosumer confidence numbers have had no impact.
USD/JPY has traded 90.06/43 and offers are still anticipated at 90.60.
Markets: Nikkei 0.1%, Kospi +1%, HK +1.6%. Gold -$3 at $1081/oz. Oil steady at $79.50/bbl.