Headlines:

Markets:

  • JPY leads, AUD lags on the day
  • European equities higher; S&P 500 futures up 0.4%
  • US 10-year yields up 0.6 bps to 4.096%
  • Gold up 0.2% to $1,943.79
  • WTI crude up 1.1% to $84.53
  • Bitcoin up 0.1% to $26,050

It was a quiet session for FX as traders are waiting on the US non-farm payrolls later today before firming up their convictions.

The dollar is steady across the board as narrow ranges prevailed during the session and in general, is trading little changed across the board now. The bond market was also in a similar mood, with traders keeping their attention on the jobs report to come.

Equities did nudge a little higher though, gradually advancing during the session. However, I'd argue the gains are tentative as investors are holding out some hopeful optimism - which may end up being dashed by the key risk event later today.

In terms of data, we got manufacturing PMIs which just solidified the notion that factory activity in the euro area continues to be stuck in a rut. And that downturn isn't improving well enough to suggest a change in the worsening outlook ahead of Q4.

Welp. Now over to the much awaited non-farm payrolls data before the long weekend in the US.