There was some movement for major FX rates during the session here but as I update the net changes are not large.

USD/JPY dipped to a low under 148.50 but has since popped back above 148.70.

AUD and NZD traded a little higher initially and have since given gains back. GBP is similar but has not dropped back so much. GBP and NZD hit multi-week highs.

Fresh news flow was sparse. Data was lower-tier only.

From China was the news (from the China Passenger Car Association) that September retail passenger vehicle sales rose 5% y/y, retail NEV sales rose 22.1% y/y. China’s economy, barring the property sector, is continuing to show signs of recovery. Once again the People’s Bank of China set the USD/CNY reference rate on the 7.17 big figure despite the market trading it circa 1000 points higher.

While on central banks, Reserve Bank of Australia, Assistant Governor (Financial Markets) Christopher Kent spoke on monetary policy transmission. His comments on the current impact on inflation seemed very much to indicate he is not expecting a rate hike any time soon, but he did caveat with the usual would do more if needed. Note that On October 25 we get official quarterly CPI data from Australia which may influence the November 7 meeting decision.More in the points above.

Regional stocks are firmer, following a good lead from Wall Street and also with sentiment supported by dovish FOMC indications and continuing hopes for more stimulus from China.

In South Korea Samsung Electronics jumped 3.7%, spurring the Kosdaq and Kospi on.

Brent held above US$87 with Israel continuing its action in Gaza to root out Hamas terrorists. A ground invasion move seems imminent.

Bitcoin lost some ground.

Asian equity markets:

  • Japan’s Nikkei 225 +0.5%

  • China’s Shanghai Composite +0.2%

  • Hong Kong’s Hang Seng +1.4%

  • South Korea’s KOSPI +2.3%

  • Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 +0.5% (up 4 days in a row)

Bitcoin:

btcusd wrap chart 11 October 2023