USD

The US dollar took advantage of the run in risk aversion earlier on in the day, as traders started to accept the idea that Greece might default on its loans.

However, weaker than expected data from the US prevented the dollar from extending its rallies throughout the US session. Core durable goods orders came in slightly weaker than expected with a 0.5% gain versus the projected 0.6% increase while the headline figure missed expectations of a 0.6% decline and posted a larger 1.8% drop. The house price index and the flash manufacturing PMI were also weaker than expected while new home sales and the Richmond manufacturing index showed better than expected results. For today, the final GDP reading for Q1 is due and a small upward revision from the 0.7% contraction is eyed.

EUR

The euro suffered a sharp selloff against its forex rivals at the start of the trading day when the emergency meeting in the EU failed to draw up an agreed upon reform plan for Greece. Euro zone PMI readings came in stronger than expected, with Germany and France reporting improvements in both manufacturing and services sectors. The German Ifo business climate reading is up for release today and a dip from 108.5 to 108.2 is expected, owing mostly to the downbeat sentiment surrounding the Greek debt issue.

GBP

The pound also suffered a selloff against its forex counterparts, as the CB industrial orders expectations reading dipped from -5 to -7 instead of improving to 1. BBA mortgage approvals data is up for release today and traders are expecting to see a climb from 42.1K to 43.1K, which might allow the pound to recover.

CHF

The franc gave up a lot of ground to the dollar, just like its European peers. There have been no reports released from Switzerland then, forcing the currency to take its cue from the euro and overall sentiment. Today, the UBS consumption indicator is up for release and it might show an improvement from the previous 1.25 figure. Later on, the SNB will release its quarterly bulletin.

JPY

The yen retreated to the dollar but advanced to its higher-yielding rivals as risk aversion set in the financial markets. Data from Japan was weaker than expected, as the flash manufacturing PMI indicated industry contraction when it fell from 50.9 to 49.9. Earlier today, the BOJ released their monetary policy meeting minutes which barely contained any changes from their previous ones. 

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)

The comdolls had a mixed performance as these were mostly tossed around by changing risk sentiment. Australia printed a couple of weak figures in the Asian session while China showed a small climb in its HSBC flash manufacturing PMI. There are no major reports lined up from the comdolls today.

By Kate Curtis from Trader’s Way