There was some extension of post-CPI moves during the timezone here in Asia, characterised across the FX space by continued US dollar weakness, but not a lot.

We had comments from Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee, who spoke in an interview. Goolsbee welcomed the better CPI and he slipped very easily into his usual dovish self.

From Japan we had very disappointing Q1 GDP (preliminary) data with a huge contraction. The internals were awful, for example:

  • Capex down for first time in two quarters
  • Exports exports down for first time in four quarters, and the biggest decrease since Q2 2020
  • Private consumption down for fourth straight quarter

The data will further complicate the BOJ's efforts to raise rates.

From Australia we had a disappointing April employment report, with the unemployment rate jumping back above 4%. There was a net gain in jobs on the month, all part-time (full-time employment fell).

The Australian dollar dropped back under 0.6700 after the data.

USD/JPY hit lows under 153.70 briefly but has ticked back above 154.00 as I update.

AUD/USD:

audusd wrap chart 16 May 2024 2