Global Markets:
- Asian stock markets: Nikkei down 1.40 %, Shanghai Composite gained 0.10 %, Hang Seng fell 0.55 %, ASX 200 declined 0.65 %
- Commodities: Gold at $1256 (+0.60 %), Silver at $18.24 (+0.30 %), WTI Oil at $50.85 (-0.60 %), Brent Oil at $54.10 (-0.55 %)
- Rates: US 10 year yield at 2.34, UK 10 year yield at 1.10, German 10 year yield at 0.25
News & Data:
- Chinese Caixin Services PMI Mar: 52.1 (prev 52.6)
- Hong Kong Manufacturing PMI Mar: 49.9 (prev 49.6)
- PBoC Fixes USDCNY Reference Rate At 6.8930 (prev fix 6.8906 prev close 6.8975)
- Asia stocks slip, investors on edge for Trump-Xi meeting – RTRS
- Dollar sags on Xi-Trump summit nerves, geopolitical worries – RTRS
Markets Update:
Asian stock markets declined as risk appetite remains low. The market is waiting for the meeting between US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Investors are hoping that Trump may moderate his tone and seek better relations with China.
In FX, it remains quiet. The FOMC meeting minutes did not reveal much new. Traders are now waiting for tomorrow’s NFP release. The Dollar has strengthened slightly this week, although it declined against safe haven currencies such as the Japanese Yen.
USD/JPY is approaching the 110 level. A break below would be significant from a technical perspective and suggest, that the decline will extend to at least 108.50.
Upcoming Events:
- 08:00 GMT – ECB President Draghi speaks
- 08:15 GMT – Swiss CPI
- 12:30 GMT – ECB Meeting Minutes
- 13:30 GMT – US Initial Jobless Claims
- 14:30 GMT – FOMC Member Williams speaks
- 17:40 GMT – ECB Member Praet speaks
- 18:15 GMT – ECB Member Constancio speaks
