Good morning, afternoon or evening to all.
If you are just joining in, the news is a Macron win in France, a Merkel win in a German state lection, and China forex reserves higher again (April):
- MOAR weekend news - China FX Reserves (April), up for 3rd consecutive month
- Merkel victory in German state election
- French election results, official counts coming now
- Macron wins French election - EUR higher (early price indications)
- French election results - Le Pen concedes defeat
Here is what's coming up on the calendar for today in Asia:
0130GMT - Australia - Building approvals / permits for March
- expected -4% m/m, prior +8.3%
- expected -10% y/y, prior -4.9%
This data point is well past its peak and has turned down. The pipeline of work is still robust, but diminishing
0130GMT also, and from Australia, National Australia Bank Business survey for April
- Business Conditions are strong, prior 14 is its highest since January of 2008 (long run average is 5)
- Business Confidence, prior 6
The previous report from NAB in summary here. If you are a bull on the Australian economy (sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one?) it makes encouraging reading.
Also at 0130GMT from Australia, ANZ Job ads for April, prior +0.3% m/m
0500GMT - Japan - Consumer confidence index for April
