More to come on this post, the focus is on the Australian jobs report so I'll BRB!

Preliminary December result comes in at 54.2

  • prior 53.6

Commenting on the Japanese Manufacturing PMI survey data, Joe Hayes, Economist at IHS Markit:

  • With Q3 GDP growth recently revised higher, latest flash PMI data signalled further positivity for the Japanese economy in the final month of 2017.
  • A 46-month high in the PMI was supported by the sharpest boost in order book volumes since January 2014.
  • Recent yen weakness appeared to benefit exporters, with new orders from abroad rising strongly.
  • Furthermore, the inflationary trend in output charges was extended to a full year. Selling prices were increased by manufacturers at the fastest pace since July 2014.