Asian stocks are having a mixed start to the trading week as markets react to Friday night’s US unemployment print which was much stronger than expected. The resulting stronger USD has pushed local currencies around, although the Australian dollar has lifted above the 69 cent level, but remains in a precarious position. Meanwhile oil prices are just holding on to their recent daily lows after recently falling below key support levels, with Brent crude hovering at the $95USD per barrel level, while gold is stable and holding above short term support at the $1770USD per ounce level:
Mainland Chinese share markets are gaining ground heading into the close with the Shanghai Composite up 0.2% to 3234 points while the Hang Seng Index is slipping fast, currently down 0.7% at 20049 points. Japanese stock markets are treading water with only minor gains with the Nikkei 225 up 0.2% to 28252 points as the USDJPY pair holds on above the 135 handle:
Australian stocks are maintaining their Friday closing positions with the ASX200 holding above the 7000 point level, currently at 7024 points. The Australian dollar however has gapped up higher following its Friday night trounce, now at the mid 69 level but still under a lot of pressure:
