Asian share markets are finishing the trading week in a mixed mood with US and European stock futures not moving much as they anticipate a long weekend for the former and the end of week/month double witching session. The USD is steady against most of the majors but losing ground against the commodity currencies with the Australian dollar extending further above the 65 cent level.
Oil markets are failing to get out of their recent depressed mood despite the successful Ukrainian strikes on Ruzzian oil lines and refineries with Brent crudes staying at the $67USD per barrel level while gold is above the $3400USD per ounce level:
Mainland Chinese share markets are holding on to some meagre gains going into the close with the Shanghai Composite up just 0.2% to stay above the 3800 point level while the Hang Seng Index is fighting back to be up 0.6% to head back above the 25000 point level. Japanese stock markets are pulling back slightly with the Nikkei 225 down 0.2% at 42697 points with the USDPY pair giving up its recent new daily high to retreat below the 147 level:
Australian stocks are treading water with the ASX200 unlikely to close above the 9000 point level while the Australian dollar has pushed further above the heavy resistance at the 65 handle for a new weekly high:
S&P futures and Eurostoxx futures are flat or slightly down going into the London session with the S&P500 four hourly chart showing the market wanting to stay above the 6500 point level with momentum now picking up as it exceeds the early August highs:
The economic calendar finishes the week with German and other European inflation, Canadian GDP and US PCE prints.