USD

The US dollar struggled to hold on to its recent gains when the ISM manufacturing PMI was released. 

The index fell from 50.2 to 50.1 in October, slightly higher than the projected 50.0 figure. However, the employment component indicated a contraction, spurring downbeat expectations for the NFP release. US factory orders data is due today and a 0.8% decline is eyed, following the previous 1.7% drop.

EUR

The euro suffered another round of losses when an ECB member noted that the French economy is growing slower than expected and that further easing in December remains a possibility. Final PMI readings from the region came in better than expected but weren’t enough to keep the shared currency afloat. The Spanish unemployment change report is due today and a 70.3K increase in joblessness is expected.

GBP

The pound had a volatile trading day but was able to rake in some gains, thanks to the upbeat manufacturing PMI. The figure climbed from 51.8 to 55.5 in October, reflecting a stronger pace of industry expansion. For today, the construction PMI is due and a drop from 59.9 to 58.9 is eyed, although this might not have such a huge impact on pound movement.

CHF

The franc was in the same weak spot as the euro, as increased odds of ECB easing could spur SNB intervention. Swiss retail sales came in line with expectations of a 0.2% gain while the manufacturing PMI beat expectations by rising from 49.5 to 50.7, outpacing the consensus at 50.2. There are no reports due from Switzerland today.

JPY

The yen edged lower against its peers when risk appetite appeared to improve and traders continued to speculate about potential BOJ easing. Japan’s final manufacturing PMI was downgraded from 52.5 to 52.4, still higher than the projected 52.1 figure. Japanese banks are closed for the holiday today, which means that there are no reports due.

Commodity Currencies (AUD, NZD, CAD)

The comdolls were able to take advantage of the pickup in risk appetite yesterday after Chinese PMI readings didn’t turn out so bad. In fact, the Caixin report showed a climb from 47.2 to 48.3, indicating a slower pace of contraction. Earlier today, the RBA statement gave the Aussie another boost when they decided to keep rates on hold at 2.00%. New Zealand is set to have its Global Dairy Trade auction and release its quarterly jobs data in the late US session, with analysts expecting to see a 0.4% rise in employment.

By Kate Curtis from Trader’s Way