Australian Dollar:

In what proved to be a day of massive selling across global equity and currency markets yesterday the Australian Dollar fell to a six-month low against its US Counterpart, as a survey out of China, Australia’s largest trading partner, showed manufacturing weakened for a third straight month in September.

In overnight trade the Australian Dollar tumbled to reach an eventual low of 0.9690 as global investors continued sell riskier assets amid fears another global recession is becoming increasingly likely. In what has been a monumental session of losses over the course of the last 24 hours the Australian Dollar opens a staggering 3 Cents lower this morning at a rate of 0.9743, falling below parity for the first time since August.

We expect a range today of 0.9580 – 0.9820

New Zealand Dollar:

The New Zealand Dollar was sold across the board yesterday following a report that New Zealand’s economy almost stalled last quarter. With GDP Figures showing economic growth rose 0.1 percent against an expected rise of 0.5 percent the New Zealand Dollar was immediately sold, trading as low as 0.7794 against its US Counterpart, the lowest level seen in over four months.

As investors flocked the Nations Currency overnight, the short to medium term interest rate outlook has also been dampened as fears of another global recession continue to dominate world headlines. With Global Equities also taking recording some massive losses overnight, their appears a general consensus that global policy makers need to do more to steady the ship as the New Zealand Dollar opens 2 Cents lower against its US Counterpart, currently buying 77.94 US Cents.

We expect a range today of 0.7700 - 7900

Great British Pound:

UK Stocks tumbled the most in 2 ½ half years yesterday as global financial markets recorded monumental losses across the board. As Recession fears continue to play on the minds of investors the US Federal Reserve’s recent warning of further significant downside saw the benchmark FTSE 100 Index slide 4.7 percent the biggest drop since March 2009.

Following global equities lower yesterday the Great British Pound reached an overnight low of 1.5327 against its US Counterpart, as it opens a full cent lower this morning at a rate of 1.5349. Meanwhile on the cross rates, the Sterling opens significantly higher against a weaker Australian Dollar currently swapping hands a rate of 1.5749, 3 cents higher than the same time yesterday.

We expect a range today of 1.5650 – 1.5900

Majors:

Global Stocks tumbled overnight with the Dow Jones Industrial Average finishing a staggering 4.2 percent lower, completing its biggest two-day decline since November 2008. With the fall-out from The US Federal Reserve’s recent decision to replace $400 Billion of Short-term debt with longer-term treasuries to spur growth continuing, there does appear to be an apparent agreement that more action is required by Policy Makers to help provide confidence in global markets amid fears that another financial recession is fast approaching.

In what can only be described as a mass sell-off last night the EURO traded between a low of 1.3384 and a high of 1.3600 against its US Counterpart, as it opens more than a full cent lower this morning at a rate of 1.3470. Looking ahead today markets are likely to remain on a knifes edge with European Sovereign Debt Concerns again dominating headlines as ECB President Sean-Claude Trichet addresses economists this evening.

Data releases

AUD: CB Leading Index m/m

NZD; No Data Today

JPY: Bank Holiday

GBP: BBA Mortgage Approvals

EUR: Belgium NBB Business Climate, Italian Retail Sales m/m, ECB President Trichet Speaks

USD: FOMC Member Dudley Speaks