Session Recap: Calm before the storm; China PMI in line with expectations

FXstreet.com (Barcelona) - With half Asia closed for vacation, and the other half getting ready to it, ahead of European markets also closed on holidays, local markets remained subdue again in Asia, as the calm just before the storm, given all the data is to be released in the hours ahead.

EUR/USD traded quiet around the 1.3165 level, while AUD/USD did so around the 1.0370, USD/JPY below the 97.40, and GBP/USD around the 1.5530. Gold remained flat at $1475, as well as Oil around the $93 mark. Open local share markets such as Nikkei and ASX show small loses, down around -0.25% each, while most of the rest have been closed.

In the data front, China PMI came in line with expectations at 50.6 showing still expansion, while Australia HIA new home sales came in better than previous at +4.25% from previous at -5.3%, and AIG manufacturing index for Australia too showed a lower number than previous at 36.7 vs 44.4. Average cash earnings year on year for Japan showed a better than expected figure at -0.6% vs -1.0%, coming from a previous one at -0.8%.

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