Asian stocks are actually looking to finish slightly higher as the overnight wobbles have not translated into the falls expected in today’s session, as traders await tonight’s FOMC meeting. The USD remains in a holding pattern against the undollars with today’s dartboard CPI print not really affecting the Australian dollar, still hovering above the 69 level. Oil prices are sliding slightly with Brent crude still around the $100USD per barrel level, while gold hasn’t really moved after its big short covering rally from Friday night, currently at the $1720USD per ounce level:
Mainland Chinese share markets have gone nowhere with the Shanghai Composite dead flat at 3280 points while the Hang Seng Index is having yet another reversal, this time losing more than 1% to be at 20671 points going into the close. Japanese stock markets are basically treading water, with the Nikkei 225 up 0.2% to 27723 points as the USDJPY pair pulls back after a very minor blip higher overnight, still below the 137 handle and well off its Friday night highs:
Australian stocks had a minor lift with the ASX200 closing 0.2% higher to maintain itself above the 6800 point level, finishing at 6823 points. The Australian dollar wasn’t able to continue its lift above the 69 handle after the big CPI print locally, still rejecting the 70 level that was tested on Friday night as it looks like the next Fed rate rise is factored in (or is it?):
