Asia Session 3

The end of the trade week in Asia saw the US Dollar extend losses across the board as traders continued to seek out riskier higher yielding assets on the back of the Federal Reserve seeming to continue on course with low rates. Stocks were higher in the US and that momentum carried over to Asia as stocks looked to post gains for a third straight day. With the dollar being dumped once again, the buck was helped in posting its biggest weekly loss in a month against the single European currency. EUR/USD surged higher today, taking off from 1.3983 and not stopping until it breeched the 1.4060 level. With commodity prices higher, the so called commodity currencies made some ample gains. AUD/USD made a 50 pip move higher to post a high just over 0.8070 and the Canadian Dollar strengthened as well, pulling the USD/CAD pair from 1.1560 to just over the 1.1500 figure. In New Zealand, the picture was not as bright as GDP was released showing a -1.1% decline as opposed to the -0.7% expected. The reaction was swift, as NZD/USD collapsed from 0.6468 to just over 0.6005 in mere minutes. AUD/NZD popped on the data, shooting from near 1.2400 to highs over 1.2535.


Although USD/JPY stayed in a 40 or so pip range between 96.04 and 95.62 with no net move on the session, the EUR/JPY and AUD/JPY pairs both made moves higher, by about 70 and 50 pips respectfully. NZD/JPY suffered the same fate as the other Kiwi anchored pairs, dropping an easy 60 pips in one quick swoop. Traders abandoned the Kiwi Dollar today as they feared that this fifth consecutive negative quarter would force the hand of the RBNZ to lower rates once again.

Have a nice weekend…


Upcoming Economic Data Releases (London Session) prior expected
6/26/2009
6:00
GE
Import Price Index (MoM)
MAY
-0.80%
0.30%

6/26/2009
6:00
GE
Import Price Index (YoY)
MAY
-8.60%
-10.30%

6/26/2009
6:50
FR
Consumer Confidence Indicator
JUN
-40
-39

6/26/2009
9:30
SZ
KOF Swiss Leading Indicator
JUN
-1.86
-1.75