Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar moved modestly higher overnight as comments from German
Chancellor Angela Merkel lifted sentiment in another quiet session.

Australia: The AUD is trading higher up from yesterday's 1.0480 levels against the Greenback as disappointing US data weakened the Greenback and pushed the AUD back above 1.0500 this morning.

Yen weakness also saw the AUD hit a fresh four month high against that major. With weakening commodity prices and Chinese steel prices falling to fresh lows yesterday, the risk seems to be to the downside for the AUD.

Agri commodities were stronger, where grain prices are being boosted by a debilitating US drought, the wheat price rising a further 1.8% overnight.

Gold, oil and base metals were all higher too which helped the AUD climb higher. Today in Australia, no data of events to note. In our time zone,

China has the third tier Industrial Profits release for July out today. Tonight the US has Michigan Consumer Confidence (August, Preliminary) and its Leading Index out. The Euro-zone Trade Balance is also due. With no domestic data releases due today, we expect the AUD to consolidate and drift lower.

Majors: US treasuries gained as weaker than expected manufacturing data drove demand for safe haven assets. The US Philly Fed survey improved less than market expectations at -7.1 in August. Building permits however, were stronger at 812k - a rise of 6.8% and the highest read for almost four years.

The S&P 500 closed 0.7% higher to 1,416 with the Dow jones ending 0.6% higher at 13,250. European equities generally rose with
the German DAX ending up 0.7% to 6,996 whilst the FTSE ended unchanged at 5,835. Oil prices rose to three month highs on hopes for more economic stimulus out of Europe.

WTI futures rose 1.1% to USD 95.4 with Brent rising 0.1% to USD 114.5 per barrel. Global equity markets rose to near 3 ½ month highs as comments from German Chancellor Angela Merkel raised hopes the ECB may soon purchase the sovereign debt of Spain and Italy and other debt laden Eurozone countries.

The Chancellor said ECB president Mario Draghi's comments last month to do whatever was necessary to save the euro were completely in line with the approach taken by European leaders.
Economic Calendar
17 AUGUST NZ Producer Prices Q2
US Univeristy of Michigan Confidence AUG
US Leading Incdicators JUL
EZ Euro-Zone Trade Balance JUN

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