The Australian dollar rebounds today as RBA left rates unchanged as widely expected and as Asian equities surged higher. RBA kept the cash rate at 2.50% and maintained that "the most prudent course is likely to be a period of stability in interest rates." The accompanying statement was little changed from the May one. The central bank noted that "growth looks to have been somewhat firmer around the turn of the year" due to "very strong increases in resource exports". But, it expected such growth to slow in the coming quarters. And it expected inflation to be "consistent with the target over the next one to two years". And it reiterated that "the exchange rate remains high by historical standards". Also released from Australia, retail sales rose less than expected by 0.2% mom in April, current account deficit narrowed to AUD -5.7b in Q1.
Released elsewhere in Asian session, The HSBC china manufacturing PMI was revised lower to 49.4 in May. Some analysts noted that the final reading for May confirmed stabilization in the economy but that was not enough evidence to indicate bottoming yet. The official China services PMI rose to six month high of 55.5 in May. Japan monetary base rose 45.6% yoy in May versus expectation of 51.2% yoy. Labor cash earnings rose 0.9% yoy in April. New Zealand term of trade rose less than expected by 1.8% qoq in Q1.
Overnight, the ISM manufacturing index was revised higher to 55.4 in May, after the initial reading was proved to be inaccurate due to the use of wrong seasonal factors. This figure was also higher than April's reading of 54.9. Looking into the details, new orders gained 1.8 point to 56.9, the highest reading since December, while the production index added 5.3 points to 61.0. On the flipside, employment slipped to 52.8 from 54.7 previously. Moreover, exports fell -0.5 point to 56.5 while supplier deliveries fell 3.1 points to 53.2. Separately, construction spending added 0.2% m/m in April, following revisions in February (0.4% ) and March (0.6%). From a year ago, construction spending soared 8.6% as gains were seen in both private (11.7%) and public (1.2) sectors. Wall Street rallied with the S&P 500 closing at a new record high as the details of US ISM manufacturing report was encouraging. The US dollar also jumped against most currencies, sending USD-denominated commodities lower.
Looking ahead, the main focus will be Eurozone CPI estimate for May in European session. The German CPI released yesterday was rather disappointing. And miss in Eurozone CPI today would give the common currency some pressure. But we'd expect markets to stay cautious ahead of Thursday's ECB meeting, which is expected to announce additional easing measures. Eurozone will release unemployment rate while UK will release construction PMI. US will release factory orders.