By Deepta Bolaky
 @DeeptaGOMarkets

Equity Markets

Despite an improvement in risk sentiment on Wall Street, the momentum seems to have fizzled out in the Asian trade. The performance in the Asia/Pacific region was subdued as investors traded cautiously. Chinese shares are slightly in the red as markets await for more development on the trade front.

World Equity Indices (% Change)

Source: Bloomberg

The ASX200 closed in positive territory and added 0.14%. Consumer Staples and the financial sector were the biggest laggards on the benchmark.

Source: Bloomberg

Currency Markets

There was little movement in the FX market. The US dollar edged higher against nearly all G10-peers to the exception to the Japanese Yen. Despite disappointing exports data, money flows in the Yen due to its haven status.

Source: Bloomberg Terminal

The Antipodeans remain the worst performer among the G10 currencies. Westpac Lending Index dropped to -0.1% while Construction Work Done fell to -1.9%. This deeper-than-expected contraction put additional pressure on the growth outlook.

The Aussie dollar is currently at 68.75 US cents and is finding immediate resistance around 0.6885 level.

AUDUSD (Hourly Chart)

Source: GO MT4

Oil Markets

Oil prices edged lower after the recent API report shows another surprise build in crude oil inventories.

UKOUSD and USOUSD (Hourly Chart)

Source: GO MT4

Cryptocurrencies Market

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Ripple are struggling across key resistance levels.

Source: GO MT4

Looking Ahead

• Fed’s Bullard Speech (US)
• ECB’s President Draghi speech  (Eurozone)
• Retail SPrice Index, PPI, CPI & Public Sector Net Borrowing (UK)
• Retail Sales (Canada)
• FOMC Minutes (US)