AUD/USD consolidates its gains around 0.6560 ahead of the US PMI data

The AUD/USD pair consolidates its gains between 0.6550 and 0.6570 during the early Asian session on Friday. Market activity was subdued, with US markets closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. On Friday, the US S&P Global PMI will be in the spotlight. AUD/USD currently trades near 0.6560, gaining 0.02% on the day. 

On Thursday, the preliminary Australian Judo Bank Manufacturing PMI for November arrived at 47.7 from 48.2 the previous month, the lowest reading in 42 months. Additionally, the Judo Bank Services PMI dropped to 46.3 from the previous reading of 47.9. The Composite PMI fell to a 27-month low of 46.4 in November from 47.6 previously. The report indicated the economic slowdown in Australian economic activity in November. 

Nonetheless, the hope for a fresh Chinese stimulus plan boosted market sentiment on Friday. That being said, Chinese authorities have reportedly included Country Garden Holdings Co on a list of 50 eligible property developers that would have access to financing. Other troubled developers on the list are Sino-Ocean Group and CIFI Holdings. This, in turn, lifts the China-proxy Australian Dollar (AUD) and acts as a tailwind for the AUD/USD pair. 

On the other hand, there was no economic data released from the US on Thursday due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Investors will keep an eye on the US S&P Global PMI data, due later in the American session on Friday. The Manufacturing and Services PMI are estimated to ease to 49.8 and 50.4, respectively. These figures could give a clear direction to the AUD/USD pair.