00:30 Australia Trade Balance October -0.28 -0.33 -0.53
JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s Global FX Volatility Index advanced for a fourth day ahead of U.S. government figures forecast to show the economy expanded in the third quarter and payrolls increased last month. A second estimate today may show the U.S. economy grew an annualized 3.1 percent in the three months through September from the previous period, according to the median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of economists. That would be up from a 2.8 percent initial reading and a final figure of 2.5 percent for the second quarter. Employers in the U.S., which is the world’s biggest economy, added 185,000 jobs last month after boosting positions by 204,000 in October, a separate poll showed before the Labor Department’s report tomorrow. Companies increased hiring by 215,000 in November, according to figures released yesterday from the ADP Research Institute.
The yen remained higher versus its 16 major peers as Asian equities fell.
The euro held a two-day gain before the European Central Bank sets monetary policy today. The ECB will keep the 17-nation region’s benchmark at a record-low 0.25 percent today, according to economists polled by Bloomberg. President Mario Draghi and his board unexpectedly cut the main refinancing rate by a quarter-percentage point last month after inflation slowed in October to the least in four years.
The pound traded near the highest in more than two years before the Bank of England decides on interest rates. U.K. central bank policy makers led by Governor Mark Carney also meeting today will leave the key rate unchanged at 0.5 percent, a separate survey showed.
EUR / USD: during the Asian session, the pair rose to $ 1.3615
GBP / USD: during the Asian session, the pair traded in the range of $ 1.6365-90
USD / JPY: on Asian session the pair fell to Y102.00
The busy UK session gets underway at 0900GMT, with the release of the November SMMT Car Registration data. At 1115GMT, the Chancellor George Osborne will deliver the 2013 Autumn Statement, along with the latest OBR forecasts. At 1200GMT, probably as the Chancellor is on his feet speaking, the BOE will announce its latest policy decision. Analysts forecast no change in rates, QE levels or forward guidance parameters.