Currency Updates:
U.S. Dollar Trading (USD) gained further, trading at multi week highs against a basket of currencies on fears that the Euro debt crisis was deepening, with the viability of Germany and France now under threat. Weekly jobless claims increased to 393K, whilst consumer sentiment in the US rose from 60.1 to 64.1 for the month of November, yet did little to stem sliding stock markets. US share markets fell for a sixth straight session as negative sentiment prompted investors to reduce exposure heading into Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. The NASDAQ fell -2%, the Dow Jones lower by -1.6%, and the S&P also fell by -1.7%
The Euro (EUR) fell against the greenback, led by Industrial Production falling plunging 6.4% for the month of September, an indication of a stagnate economy. The Euro was not aided by a dour 10yr German bond auction which fell short of market expectation, only raising 3.6Bln Euro, emphasizing a negative outlook that core euro nations were now under threat. The Euro eased from 1.3480 to 1.3320, the lowest level seen since October 6.
The Japanese Yen (JPY) eased against the USD trading at 77.60, highest levels since November 11, whilst maintaining key support levels at 76.90 throughout the trading day.
The Sterling (GBP) also weakened against the USD tracking negative sentiment across all markets. In domestic news, the BoE minutes showed a unanimous 9-0 vote to keep rates at 0.5%, whilst continuing with an additional GBP 75 Billion in asset purchases. The Sterling pound fell off highs near 1.5655 in Asia to trade at lowest levels since Oct 7 below 1.5500
The Australian Dollar (AUD) traded with a heavy tone throughout much of the day, as reports of possible Dexia rescue plan collapse may place France’s credit rating under review, added to poor Chinese PMI number released at 48, it lowest recording in 32 months, ensured the Aussie Dollar lost its demand due to its risk nature. In the overnight session headlines surrounding Germany’s now imminent exposure to the euro debt crisis attributed to the AUD posting its lowest levels of 0.9664 since the 6th of October. The NZD in similar fashion lost appeal as risk appetite remained considerably off posting a fresh 8 month low of 0.7386.
Oil & Gold (XAU) XAU fell by US$6.50 an ounce to US$1,695.90, whilst Crude Oil also eased by US$ 1.84 a barrel to US$96.17
