The US dollar fell sharply after some positive news on trade, boosting the AUD and NZD. The US and Canada were reportedly nearing agreement, and the US and China may start fresh talks. Short maturity US bond yields also rose, and oil made a four-month high, while US equities were unchanged.

The US dollar fell sharply after some positive news on trade, boosting the AUD and NZD. The US and Canada were reportedly nearing agreement, and the US and China may start fresh talks. Short maturity US bond yields also rose, and oil made a four-month high, while US equities were unchanged.

Equity markets were in a positive mood, the S&P500 currently up 0.5%. Bond yields also rose, helped by some upbeat US economic data. A slightly firmer US dollar kept AUD and NZD under pressure. Oil prices jumped 2.5% as US hurricane Florence approached the east coast.

Equity markets were in a positive mood, the S&P500 currently up 0.5%. Bond yields also rose, helped by some upbeat US economic data. A slightly firmer US dollar kept AUD and NZD under pressure. Oil prices jumped 2.5% as US hurricane Florence approached the east coast.

Markets were fairly stable overnight, with no major news surprises and equities slightly higher (S&P500 +0.2%). In fx markets, GBP provided some interest, popping higher on Brexit developments.

Markets were fairly stable overnight, with no major news surprises and equities slightly higher (S&P500 +0.2%). In fx markets, GBP provided some interest, popping higher on Brexit developments.

US bond yields and the US dollar were boosted by solid US labour data on Friday, but equities were hurt by fresh tariffs threatened for China. Trade-sensitive currencies AUD and NZD were stung by both sets of news, falling to 2 ½ year lows.

US bond yields and the US dollar were boosted by solid US labour data on Friday, but equities were hurt by fresh tariffs threatened for China. Trade-sensitive currencies AUD and NZD were stung by both sets of news, falling to 2 ½ year lows.

A slightly risk averse mood permeated equity and bond markets. The S&P500 is down 0.4%, tech stocks again the worst performers. Disappointing US private payrolls data and potential escalation in the US-China trade war weighed on bond yields. G10 currencies were fairly stable, while in emerging markets the Russian ruble took the baton in sinking to a multi-year low.

A slightly risk averse mood permeated equity and bond markets. The S&P500 is down 0.4%, tech stocks again the worst performers. Disappointing US private payrolls data and potential escalation in the US-China trade war weighed on bond yields. G10 currencies were fairly stable, while in emerging markets the Russian ruble took the baton in sinking to a multi-year low.