China's Caixin services PMI drops unexpectedly in March

Dhwani Mehta FXStreet

China's Caixin services PMI for March came in at 52.3 vs 54.5 exp and 54.2 last, which indicated output growth easing across both manufacturing and service sectors.

Meanwhile, the Composite Output Index fell from 53.3 in February to 51.8 in March, to signal only a modest pace of expansion.” the report noted.

Quotes from Dr. Zhengsheng Zhong, Director of Macroeconomic Analysis at CEBM Group

“The Caixin China General Services Business Activity Index fell to 52.3 in March from 54.2 in February. Both new business and employment grew at a slower rate last month, pointing to cooling demand. However, the ability of service providers to make a profit improved as input costs increased at a weaker pace while output prices edged up. The sub-index gauging service companies’ expectations towards business activity over the next 12 months declined to the lowest reading since September, suggesting that weakening demand has affected firms’ confidence.”

Author

Dhwani Mehta

FXStreet

Residing in Mumbai (India), Dhwani is a Senior Analyst and Manager of the Asian session at FXStreet. She has over 10 years of experience in analyzing and covering the global financial markets, with specialization in Forex and commodities markets.

AUD/USD pulls back from monthly high but holds above 0.7000

AUD/USD retreats from the monthly high set earlier this Thursday, sliding back to 0.7000 during the Asian session as a further escalation of tensions in the Middle East undermines the risk-sensitive Aussie. However, recent hawkish comments from RBA officials could support the Australian Dollar. Furthermore, the prevailing US Dollar selling bias, despite Fed hike bets and geopolitical uncertainties, could limit losses for the pair.

USD/JPY declines to a one-week low; eyes trading range support near 157.50 on weaker USD

USD/JPY drops to a one-week low during Thursday’s Asian session, with bears now awaiting a break below multi-week range support near mid-157.00s before placing fresh bets amid a broadly weaker US Dollar. Despite bets for a December Fed rate hike and Middle East jitters, the recent decline in US bond yields keeps USD depressed near a three-week low. Moreover, hawkish BoJ expectations and intervention risks underpin the Japanese Yen, further weighing on the currency pair.

Gold extends fall below $4,100 as Fed hike bets counter USD weakness

Gold weakens further below $4,100, hitting a fresh one-week low as oil-driven inflation risks reinforce Fed hike bets and weigh on the bullion heading into the European session. Meanwhile, falling US bond yields keep the US Dollar depressed near a three-week low despite geopolitical uncertainties. This, however, does little to support the non-yielding bullion, backing the case for further losses.

Cardano: Weak momentum puts ADA recovery at risk

Cardano (ADA) is trading below $0.222 on Thursday after failing to sustain gains above the 50-day Exponential Moving Average near $0.228 the previous day. Weakening derivatives metrics and fading bullish momentum continue to weigh on sentiment, while a break below the 100-day EMA could push ADA lower.

Dow Jones Industrial Average climbs with the AI trade, led by a bank

The Dow Jones Industrial Average got most of its share of Wednesday's artificial intelligence (AI) rally from a bank and a bulldozer maker. The index closed near 52,800, its highest close since early September. SpaceX (SPCX) reported 161% revenue growth and the Nasdaq Composite rose more than 1%, but under price weighting the gains that counted most belonged to Goldman Sachs (GS) and Caterpillar (CAT).

The US Dollar fell. Gold didn't rally. That tells you everything

Gold (XAU/USD) is struggling to capitalize on a weaker US Dollar (USD), after repeatedly failing to establish itself above the $4,200 level. The precious metal remains confined to a relatively narrow trading range despite a combination of developments that would normally support higher prices.