USD is falling against the yen, shows a lateral trend against the euro and the pound, but strengthens against the Australian currency. The US dollar is supported by yesterday's statistics on initial jobless claims from the US. The indicator dropped to 206K within a week from 233K a week earlier. Today, market participants expect the publication of data on retail sales in the US. On a monthly basis the indicator is expected to drop to 0.1% in November from 0.8% a month earlier. If the forecast proves right, the instrument may fall under pressure.
EUR/USD
The pair EUR/USD traded in both directions yesterday. Having tested local highs and lows at 1.1392 and 1.1330 respectively, the instrument is consolidating at 1.1359 during the Asian session. Today, market players will pay attention to the release of the data on Markit Services PMI in Germany (10:30 GMT+2) and in the euro area (11:00 GMT+2). The indicator is expected to rise to 53.4 points in Germany and to 53.5 points in the euro area. If the forecast proves correct, it can support the instrument.
GBP/USD
Quotes of the GBP/USD pair fell to the lower limit of the narrow range of 1.2618–1.2681, which was formed in the last 24 hours. Due to the absence of significant economic releases from the UK, the instrument movement will be affected by news from the US. Investors are still focused on the Brexit situation. According to the results of voting in the Parliament of Great Britain, Theresa May managed to keep her post as Prime Minister for the next 12 months. Against this background, the British currency managed to regain some of the losses incurred after the abolition of the parliamentary vote on Brexit draft. Now Theresa May will try to achieve better conditions in the Brexit deal with the European Union and, in particular, solve the issue of the Irish border. However, the likelihood that the EU will make new concessions is extremely low.
USD/JPY
The USD/JPY pair dropped to 113.47 during the Asian session. The instrument is under pressure from the statistics published tonight in Japan. Tankan Large Non-Manufacturers Index rose to 24 points in Q4 2018 from 22 points in the previous period. Manufacturing PMI increased to 52.4 points in December from 52.2 points a month earlier. Industrial Production was better than expected and remained at 2.9% in October, while it was expected to decline to 2.8%.
AUD/USD
Quotes of the pair AUD/USD dropped to 0.7189 during the Asian session. Against the background of the absence of macroeconomic releases from Australia, the movement of the instrument's rate is of a technical nature.
Gold
Under pressure from general strengthening of USD, gold quotes dropped to 1240.13.