Chris Becker

A huge fill in the US trade deficit overnight gave the USD some more power, while the latest US initial jobless claims suggest another weaker NFP print tonight that should encompass post shutdown data.

Asian share markets are not doing well as the positive lead from Wall Street dissipated overnight with commodity volatility continuing to dominate other risk markets while bonds go sleepy.

Wall Street stumbled amid a mixed bag of economic releases as traders pivot towards Friday’s NFP print.

Asian share markets are not doing well despite a strong lead from Wall Street overnight with commodity volatility one of the culprits as oil prices move lower as silver explodes higher.

Green across the Atlantic share markets overnight with lower than expected inflation numbers in Europe helping buoy stocks while rumbles of more “acquistions” by the Trumpian Empire – Greenland next – kept Wall Street lifting higher.

Asian share markets are generally performing very well as risk moves to buy up everything not marked with a USD sign, while local shares continue to underperform.

A near two year low in the US ISM manufacturing print saw the USD take a dive while other risk markets repositioned after the Trump regime’s invasion of Venezuela with oil stocks lifting amid a small bid in Brent and WTI markers.

Asian share markets are very mixed with local shares not moving while Japanese shares surge following the late 2025 BOJ rate hike as the volatility from the Trump regime’s “special military operation” into Venezuela only really upsetting commodity markets so far.

Risk markets will pivot this week on the volatility around the Trump regime’s invasion of Venezuela as 2026 accelerates the new global order of “take what you want around you”.

A quiet session for Asian share markets as we head into the low volume Christmas period with local shares the only dour note, falling back after a previously solid effort yesterday as the Australian dollar hits a new monthly high above the 67 cent level.