Headlines:
Markets:
- AUD leads, JPY lags on the day
- European equities higher; S&P 500 futures up 0.3%
- US 10-year yields down 2.7 bps to 4.083%
- Gold up 0.1% to $4,131.69
- WTI crude oil down 1.1% to $60.34
- Bitcoin up 2.3% to $105,050
There wasn’t too much happening in European morning trade today, with markets still keeping one eye on the impending end to the US government shutdown. The vote now goes over to the House after the Senate settled their ordeal in getting the funding measure passed.
The main headlines on the session came mostly from Japan as the finance ministry tried to step in with some verbal intervention, trying to ease the selling in the currency as prime minister Takaichi continues to her stimulus/spending warpath. Her position as a fiscal dove continues to pressure the yen, with USD/JPY climbing up to 154.90 during the session – its highest since early February.
The dollar itself is keeping more mixed elsewhere, little changed for the most part. AUD/USD is up 0.2% to 0.6450 amid a better risk mood while GBP/USD is down 0.2% to 1.3125 after the rebound yesterday fades.
In other markets, equities are continuing to keep the faith as tech shares eye a rebound today. US futures are higher with S&P 500 futures up 0.3% while Nasdaq futures are up 0.6%. In Europe, major indices continue to rally strongly in posting over 1% gains across the board. That is seeing fresh record highs for benchmark indices in the UK, Spain, and Italy.
Besides that, we also have gold posting a modest rebound after dipping a bit earlier to just under $4,100 briefly. The precious metal has now erased losses on the day to be at $4,131 as dip buyers try to keep the upside run going on the week.