Our thoughts are with all those killed and hurt, their friends and families, in the cowardly attack in Manchester at an Ariana Grande concert mainly attended by young kids.

  • Latest statement from the Manchester Police on the Arena explosion
  • Media: Police say there is a 2nd suspect device near Manchester Arena
  • Manchester explosion update: Police confirm 19 dead, around 50 injuries
  • UK media now saying Manchester Arena explosion was a nail bomb attack
  • Manchester Arena explosion update - Sky News reports bomb disposal team on site
  • BBC reporting at least 20 dead in Manchester Arena (UK) explosion
  • Yen rising - Reports of explosion at Manchester Arena (UK) - more details
  • Reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena (UK)

One for the kids today after the horrible events in Manchester: Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus with the Crowded House hit "Don't Dream It's Over "

Forex news for Asia trading Tuesday 23 May 2017

  • Mexico's Madrazo: NAFTA negotiations on the right track
  • Buba's Dombret says it look like a hard or very hard Brexit
  • Time for some music. Don't Dream It's Over - Miley Cyrus & Ariana Grande
  • AUD extending its gains
  • Heads up for NZD traders - Fonterra announcement expected Wednesday
  • US budget - "Trump Proposes Selling Off Half the U.S. Strategic Oil Reserve"
  • Fed's Evans - No comments on current economic outlook nor monetary policy
  • PBOC sets USD/CNY central rate at 6.8661 (vs. yesterday at 6.8673)
  • US 2018 budget proposal out now -
  • Japan finance minister Aso: Will send a strong message about free trade at G7
  • Japan - Nikkei Manufacturing PMI (May, preliminary): 52.0 (prior 52.7)
  • Fed's Brainard: Labor market strength, stall in core inflation
  • S&P places Brazil on credit watch negative
  • Australia - ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence index: 110.5 (prior 109.4)
  • Fed's Brainard speech - No remarks on economic outlook nor monetary policy
  • Greek finance minister Tsakalotos: Greece will definitely get bailout tranche in June
  • Greece - Dijsselbloem says we were unable to close tonight a gap in views
  • Greece - reports creditors so far fail to reach a deal on debt measures
  • One for the China stock traders - MSCI decision on A-shares due June 20
  • ICYMI: Forexlive America FX news wrap: Dollar mixed (except against the NZD)
  • Trade ideas thread for Tuesday 23 May 2017

Yen gained early on the session, perhaps on concerns over the explosion in the UK. USD/JPY lost 40-odd points, down to around 110.90 in early Tokyo before grinding out a recovery back to around 111.20. Yen crosses followed a similar pattern, down early and then a recovery.

S&P downgraded Brazil, which flowed on into a weaker MXN, but it retraced somewhat:

EUR and CHF have had little net movement against the USD following small ranges. Cable, too, down just a few points. News from the Eurogroup early in the Asia session - no agreement yet reached on Greece (see bullets above).

AUD and NZD are both higher, Australian dollar the outperform of the two (some AUD/NZD buying today but nevertheless both supported). For NZD trades, Wednesday and Thursday will see market-relevant announcements: Heads up for NZD traders - Fonterra announcement expected Wednesday

Gold is up a tiny.

Regional equities:

  • Nikkei -0.11%
  • Shanghai -0.10%
  • HK +0.31%
  • ASX -0.02%