Rates of expansion eased for output, new orders and employment, in part reflecting a weakening in the pace of expansion of new work from abroad. On the price front, input cost and output charge inflation moderated and, although still elevated, are below the highs seen at the turn of the year.

The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index fell to a 17- month low of 53.9 in April, down from 54.9 in March. The PMI has signalled expansion in each of the past 21 months.

EUR/USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.2214 (796)

$1.2179 (2138)

$1.2155 (736)

Price at time of writing this review: $1.2058

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.1992 (3138)

$1.1946 (1846)

$1.1898 (1183)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options and PUT options with the expiration date May, 4 is 88835 contracts (according to data from April, 30) with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,2650 (4216);

GBP/USD

Resistance levels (open interest**, contracts)

$1.4003 (735)

$1.3956 (1061)

$1.3912 (485)

Price at time of writing this review: $1.3749

Support levels (open interest**, contracts):

$1.3676 (2010)

$1.3637 (876)

$1.3594 (632)

Comments:

- Overall open interest on the CALL options with the expiration date May, 4 is 23028 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,4400 (3253);

- Overall open interest on the PUT options with the expiration date May, 4 is 25995 contracts, with the maximum number of contracts with strike price $1,3750 (2283);

- The ratio of PUT/CALL was 1.13 versus 1.15 from the previous trading day according to data from April, 30

* - The Chicago Mercantile Exchange bulletin (CME) is used for the calculation.

** - Open interest takes into account the total number of option contracts that are open at the moment.

Japan's manufacturing sector expanded at a quickened pace during April amid improved growth rates in output and new orders. With robust demand exerting pressure on the production line, firms enhanced operating capacities by raising employment. Nonetheless, greater staff levels did not prevent backlogs of work from increasing. On the price front, inflation rates for both input costs and output charges softened.

The headline Nikkei Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) posted 53.8 in April, up from 53.1 in March to signal a solid improvement in operating conditions for Japanese manufacturers

• Housing markets have slowed in sydney, melbourne

• A$ remains in range of past couple of years

• Rising a$ would lead to slower economic pick up

• Central forecast for australian economy to grow faster than a year ago

• Progress on unemployment and inflation expected to be gradual

• Sees GDP growth to average a bit above 3 pct in 2018, 2019

• Expects gradual pick up in inflation as economy strengthens

• Inflation likely to remain low for some time

• Steady policy consistent with growth, inflation targets