US: Markit Manufacturing PMI comes in at 50.5 in May vs. 50.6 expected

Eren Sengezer FXStreet

The IHS Markit's Manufacturing PMI in the U.S. (final) came in at 50.5 in May following April's 52.6 reading and fell short of the market expectation of 50.6. With the initial reaction, the US Dollar Index extended its daily decline and was last seen at its lowest level since May 16 at 97.54, losing 0.07% on a daily basis.

Key takeaways from the press release

May survey data signalled only a marginal improvement in the health of the U.S. manufacturing sector.
The headline PMI fell to its lowest level since September 2009.
A key factor weighing on the headline reading was the softest expansion of output since June 2016.
Manufacturers signalled the first decline in new orders since August 2009.
Manufacturers exhibited a lower degree of confidence towards output over the coming year.
On the price front, cost burdens increased at only a modest rate in May.
Meanwhile, firms signalled a further increase in employment in May.

Author

Eren Sengezer

FXStreet

As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.

USD/JPY extends sell-off below 157.00 on hawkish BoJ repricing

USD/JPY extends sell-off below 157.00 in European trading on Thursday. Traders react negatively to the weak US ADP report, smashing the US Dollar across the board and exerting renewed selling pressure on the pair. Meanwhile, hawkish BoJ expectations and intervention risks continue to lend support to the Japanese Yen, rendering it negative for the major.

AUD/USD ranges above 0.7150 despite upbeat Chinese PMI

AUD/USD struggles to capitalize on the previous day's bounce from a nearly two-week low and ranges above 0.7150 in Asia on Thursday, as dismal Australian trade data counter upbeat China's RatingDog Services PMI. However, the pair's upside remains in check as the US Dollar stalls the weak ADP report-led slide amid escalating US-Iran tensions and firming September Fed rate-hike bets.

Gold sticks to gains below $4,450 amid weaker USD

Gold maintains its bid tone heading into the European session, though it remains below $4,450 amid mixed fundamental cues. Sliding US bond yields and Wednesday's soft US ADP report weigh on the US Dollar, assisting the commodity build on the previous day's goodish recovery from a nearly four-week low. That said, firming US Federal Reserve rate-hike expectations and inflation risks stemming from higher energy prices could act as a tailwind for US bond yields.

XRP defends key support, XLM awaits breakout as derivatives strengthen

Ripple (XRP) and Stellar (XLM) show divergent technical outlooks as traders assess whether the recent weakness could give way to a recovery. XRP is finding support and defining a key support zone, while XLM slips below a cluster of Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs).

ISM Services PMI Preview: US service sector expected to expand in August

On Thursday, we’ll get the latest read on the US service sector when the Institute for Supply Management publishes its August gauge. Consensus points to a marginal improvement to 54.3 from July’s 54.1. If confirmed, the reading would reinforce the sector’s resilience and offer a modest boost to confidence in the broader economy. The ISM will publish the Services Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) on Thursday at 14:00 GMT.

Diesel’s record $100 warning: The oil shock hiding in plain sight

The Oil market may look calmer than it did a few months ago, but diesel is sending a very different message. The US diesel crack spread, the premium of ultra-low sulphur diesel futures over WTI, recently surged above $100 per barrel for the first time, reaching an intraday record of just over $102.00.