The US markets ended mixed after witnessing a lack of direction over the course of the trading day on Monday. The choppy trading on Wall Street came as traders expressed uncertainty about the near term outlook for the markets following last Friday’s rally. Light trading activity ahead of the Independence Day holiday also contributed to the lackluster performance. A disappointing manufacturing report generated some negative sentiment in morning trading but selling pressure waned amid optimism about the possibility of further stimulus from the Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, a separate report showed a bigger than expected increase in US construction spending in May. The Dow edged down 8.7 points or 0.1% to 12,871.4 while the NASDAQ rose 16.2 points or 0.6% to 2,951.2 and the S&P 500 crept up 3.4 points or 0.3% to 1,365.5
On Tuesday morning Asian shares have followed the tone of the US, opening higher.
Euro Dollar:
EURUSD (1.2594) the USD picked up strength most of the day on Monday, as elation and optimism for the EU plan waned. The euro fell close to the 1.25 price level, after the release of the US ISM manufacturing data, the USD lost its energy and we saw the euro move back to the 1.26 price.
The Great British Pound
GBPUSD (1.5698) the pound has been holding right at the 1.57 number, with little gains and losses by holding tight. The main event this week is the Bank of England meeting; most traders think that the BoE will offer some additional monetary easing, where some think that BoE Governor King will reduce rates. The meeting in on July 5th.
Asian –Pacific Currency
USDJPY (79.75) as investors remained optimistic, risk aversion changed to risk appetite as most commodities were able to hold on to Friday’s gains. The USD was strong in early trading but fell on poor eco data, where as the yen was supported by positive manufacturing data, which was offset by a poor PMI report from China.
Gold
Gold (1601.45) added more shine in early Asian trading on Tuesday morning trading above the 1600 price level, as the USD fell on negative eco data and investors remained optimistic over the EU plan. There are undercurrents and rumors that the Fed may offer some additional stimulus to help pump up the sagging economy. With the US closed on Wednesday for the holiday, investors may be moving to safety prior to the holiday.
Crude Oil
Crude Oil (83.48) as the Iranian embargo went into effect without much notice, investors sighed relief, and with negative eco data, oil should be tumbling but it has managed to hold on to gains and add a few cents more in Asian trading. With the USD weakened, it is a good chance for investors to grab up oil cheaply.
