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Asia Roundup: Aussie near 4-month peak on upbeat Chinese data, dollar slumps amid U.S. riots, Asian shares rally as investors focus on recovery from pandemic - Monday, June 1st, 2020

Market Roundup

  • Gold climbs on U.S. riots
     
  • Oil prices consolidate ahead of OPEC+ meeting

Economic Data Ahead   

  • (0400 ET/0800 GMT) EZ Markit Manufacturing PMI(May)

Key Events Ahead

  • No Significant Events Scheduled

FX Beat

DXY: The dollar index plunged to a 2-1/2 month low as riots in major U.S. cities rattled investors sentiment. The greenback against a basket of currencies traded 0.4 percent down at 97.95, having touched a low of 97.89 earlier, its lowest since March 16.

EUR/USD: The euro surged to a 2-1/2 month peak as investors drew confidence from the European Union's plans for a coronavirus recovery fund. The major also gained support from Germany’s Ministry of Economics proposed 5 billion euro ($5.6 billion) buyer bonus scheme as part of an impending stimulus package in an effort to boost car sales. The European currency traded 0.4 percent up at 1.1144, having touched a high of 1.1150 earlier, its highest since March 17. Investors’ attention will remain on a series of data from Eurozone economies, and EZ Markit manufacturing PMI, ahead of the U.S. construction spending and manufacturing PMI by both Markit and ISM. Immediate resistance is located at 1.1180, a break above targets 1.1215. On the downside, support is seen at 1.1060, a break below could drag it below 1.1029.

USD/JPY: The dollar declined after rebounding from a 2-week low in the prior session, as protesters flooded the streets in the United States over the death of George Floyd in police custody, in a wave of outrage sweeping a politically and racially divided nation. Meanwhile, China’s state media and the Hong Kong government lashed out on Sunday at U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge to end Hong Kong’s special status if Beijing imposes new national security laws on the city. The major was trading 0.2 percent down at 107.50, having hit a low of 107.07 on Friday, its lowest since May 18. Investors’ will continue to track the broad-based market sentiment, ahead of the U.S. construction spending and manufacturing PMI by both Markit and ISM. Immediate resistance is located at 107.94, a break above targets 108.10. On the downside, support is seen at 107.32, a break below could take it near at 107.07.

GBP/USD: Sterling rallied to a 3-week high as Britain moved out of lockdown. The major traded 0.4 percent up at 1.2389, having hit a high of 1.2414 earlier, it’s highest since May 11. Investors’ attention will remain on the geopolitical developments ahead of the U.S. fundamental drivers. Immediate resistance is located at 1.2437, a break above could take it near 1.2467. On the downside, support is seen at 1.2289 (21-DMA), a break below targets 1.2248 (10-DMA). Against the euro, the pound was trading 0.1 percent up at 89.90 pence, having hit a low of 90.54 on Friday, it’s lowest since March 27.

AUD/USD: The Australian dollar advanced to a near 4-month peak as investors looked to positive signs from China’s post-coronavirus economic recovery. Investors were encouraged by the Caixin/Markit Purchasing Managers Index showing marginal but unexpected improvement in Chinese factory activity last month. The Aussie trades 1.3 percent up at 0.6751, having hit a high of 0.6756 earlier, it’s highest since Feb 6.  Investors will continue to track overall market sentiment, ahead of U.S. economic releases. Immediate resistance is located at 0.6792, a break above could take it near 0.6826. On the downside, support is seen at 0.6609, a break below targets 0.6561.

Equities Recap

Asian shares advanced to 3-month highs as progress on opening up economies helped offset concerns over riots in U.S. cities and unease over Washington’s power struggle with Beijing.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan surged 2.1 percent.

Tokyo's Nikkei rallied 0.8 percent to 22,062.39 points, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index surged 1.1 percent to 5,819.20 points. South Korea's KOSPI jumped 1.75 percent to 2,065.08 points.

Shanghai composite index rose 2.2 percent to 2,915.43 points, while CSI 300 index traded 2.7 percent up at 3,971.34 points.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng traded 3.4 percent higher at 23,735.90 points. Taiwan shares added 1.25 percent to 11,079.02 points.

Commodities Recap

Crude oil prices consolidated near multi-week peaks as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries considered meeting as soon as this week to discuss whether to extend record production cuts beyond end-June. International benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.1 percent higher at $37.70 per barrel by 0605 GMT, having hit a high of $38.28 earlier, its highest since March 11. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was trading 0.6 percent up at $35.39 a barrel, after rising as high as $35.89 earlier, its highest since March 11.

Gold prices rose to an over 1-week peak as riots in major U.S. cities rattled investors already reeling from strained U.S.-China ties. Spot gold gained 0.8 percent to $1,743.50 per ounce by 0609 GMT, having touched a low of $1,694.00 on Wednesday, its lowest since May 11.  U.S. gold futures were up 0.3 percent to $1,757.50.

Treasuries Recap

The super-long Japanese government bonds edged lower after the Bank of Japan conducted regular buying operations. The benchmark 10-year JGB futures fell 0.03 point to 152.17, while in the cash bond market, the 10-year JGB yield rose half a basis point to 0.005 percent. The 30-year JGB yield gained 1.5 basis points to 0.515 percent, while the 40-year JGB yield rose 2.5 basis points to 0.555 percent. The 20-year JGB yield was unchanged at 0.350 percent. In contrast to the trend seen at the longer end of the market, the two-year JGB yield and the five-year yield dipped half a basis point each to minus 0.170 percent and minus 0.135 percent, respectively.

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