USD

The US dollar continued to advance against most of its currency counterparts when risk aversion popped its head in the financial markets at the start of the week. 

Data from the US came in mixed, with the core PCE price index falling short of expectations with only a 0.1% uptick and the personal spending figure staying flat. The personal income reading showed a 0.4% gain, higher than the projected 0.3% increase, while the ISM manufacturing PMI also beat expectations with its climb from 51.5 to 52.8. US factory orders and a speech by FOMC member Brainard are scheduled today.

EUR

The euro struggled to hold on to its recent gains, with several forex market participants still hopeful that Greece can avoid a default this month. Talks between top-level EU officials seemed to result in a stronger agreement that a deal can be worked out to extend the bailout and prevent a Grexit from taking place. Economic data came in mostly stronger than expected also, with Germany showing a better than expected preliminary CPI reading of 0.1% and Spain and Italy printing strong manufacturing PMI readings. Spanish and German unemployment change figures are up for release today, along with euro zone CPI flash estimates.

GBP

The pound suffered another selloff to its counterparts when the UK printed a weaker than expected manufacturing PMI reading. The index climbed from 51.8 to 52.0, short of the projected 52.7 figure for April. Today, the construction PMI is due and another improvement is eyed. However, a weaker than expected figure might spark more losses for the pound.

CHF

The franc managed to score a few gains from the stronger than expected Swiss manufacturing PMI report, as the index climbed from 47.9 to 49.4 instead of dipping to the projected 47.4 figure. There are no major reports due from Switzerland today, leaving the franc sensitive to euro price action and overall market sentiment.

JPY

The yen gave up more ground to its counterparts, as traders entertained the idea of further easing from the BOJ. Data from Japan actually came in stronger than expected, with capital spending picking up by 7.3% versus the projected 0.1% decline. Earlier today, Japan showed a higher than expected increase in average cash earnings of 0.9% instead of the projected 0.4% uptick.

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)

The comdolls were still mostly weaker for the day, as China’s reports failed to impress. The official manufacturing PMI ticked up from 50.1 to 50.2 while the non-manufacturing PMI fell from 53.4 to 53.2. In Australia, building approvals showed a 4.4% slump versus the projected 1.7% decline. The RBA statement is scheduled today and no actual changes are expected for now.

By Kate Curtis from Trader’s Way