ForexLive Asia FX news: AUD edges up ahead of RBA

Forex and Bitcoin news for Asia trading Tuesday 3 April  2018

The RBA April monetary policy decision is due at 0430 GMT, with no change to the cash rate the unanimous expectation – leaving attention focused on Governor Lowe’s accompanying statement:

We had a full suite of Asia FX centres back on line today after the Easter break closed various of them. Movement was limited, though, as was news and data flow.

We got strong manufacturing PMI data from Australia – the AiG measure reached its highest ever on record, while the Markit/CBA measure lost a little of its lustre but still well into expansion. AUD/USD had an OK session, ticking a little higher after losing ground overnight –  falling US equity markets impacting on risk sentiment and weighing on the Australian dollar.

EUR/USD has ticked back (to a smaller extent though). Cable, pretty much ditto, a few tics to the stronger only.

USD/JPY held a 20-odd point range without much net movement . NZD/USD is barely changed also. CAD has managed to tick higher vs. the USD – some positive noises on NAFTA late US time helped it a little. Gold slipped a little.

The KRW had a few ‘intervention’ type comments, nothing unexpected (see bullets above).

Still to come: