• Euro zone July flash manufacturing PMI 56.5, stronger than median forecast 55.2. Services PMI 56.0, stronger than median forecast 55.0
  • Euro zone May industrial new orders +3.8% m/m, +22.7%, much stronger than median forecasts of flat, +20.0% respectively
  • 3-month dollar libor fixed at 0.49781 vs 0.50625 Wednesday. First time fixed below 0.50% since May 21
  • Hungary will negotiate with EU about next year’s budget. Econ Min has made it clear govt will continue talks with international organisations including IMF/EU
  • Hungary sells all 12-month bills as planned at auction
  • Reuters poll: Australian PM Gillard’s Labor extends lead in August 21 campaign. On course for increased majority. Gillard has 25 point lead as preferred PM
  • UK June retail sales +0.7% m/m, +1.3% y/y, stronger than median forecasts of +0.5%, +1.0% respectively. ONS says sales driven by World Cup boost to sales of electrical goods
  • UK economy set for “triple whammy” admits Bank chief – Independent
  • China’s industrial output growth to reach 13% this year from previous estimate of 11% – Minister
  • EU’s Rehn: Trusts stress tests will give clear picture of state of European banking system
  • Bank of Spain sets time of stress test presentation at 16:00 GMT Friday

Lower US yields in wake of Bernanke’s downbeat comments re the US economy yesterday, and generally stronger than expected European data, have helped put the greenback under pressure this morning. USD/JPY a little surprisingly is an exception eeking out marginal gains.

EUR/USD up at 1.2870 from early 1.2775. There was an initial sell-off this morning as a US investment bank came in and sold the pairing aggressively. That got us to around 1.2740. Russia was a good buyer around the lows and we edged higher. There was a brief pause around 1.2800 with Russia seen taking some well-earned profit, the jobber supreme.

Strong european data in form of euro zone PMI, new indistrial orders, Uk retail sales all helped improve risk appetite as European stocks rebounded strongly after opening lower. This all helped drive EUR/USD through sell orders at 1.2800/10 tripping stops just above.

The BIS was seen selling around 1.2825 and then the SNB around 1.2840/50. The latter interest helped put a temporary top on the pairing before announcement of lower 3-month dollar libor fix prompted another spurt to sesson high 1.2881. We’re presently off a little at 1.2860.

Cable up at 1.5255 from early 1.5185. Swiss banks notable strong buyers into early dip. Better risk appetite drove the pairing higher, better than expected retail sales data giving a decent boost along the way. We got to session high 1.5296, presently off a little at 1.5260.

USD/JPY up at 86.85 from early 86.55, buy orders at 86.30/40 managing to contain early slippage. Stops noted through 86.25 before buy orders just ahead of 86.00 barrier option interest. Seemingly better risk appetite outweighed lower dollar yields. Sell orders noted up at 87.00/10 have so far contained the rally.