In the US session, Industrial Production, Empire State Manufacturing Index and Consumer Sentiment figures were published. Industrial production decreased 0.6% in March for a second month in a row. For the first quarter as a whole, industrial production fell at an annual rate of 2.2%. A substantial portion of the overall decrease in March resulted from declines in the indexes for mining and utilities, which fell 2.9% and 1.2% respectively; in addition, manufacturing output fell 0.3%. The sizable decrease in mining production continued the industry's recent downward trajectory; the index has fallen in each of the past seven months, at an average pace of 1.6% per month.

Earlier today Empire State Manufacturing Index figures were released. The April 2016 Empire State Manufacturing Survey indicates that business activity expanded for New York manufacturers. The headline general business conditions climbed nine points to 9.6, its highest level in more than a year. Employment levels and the average workweek were little changed from March. The six-month outlook continued to improve, with the index for future business conditions rising for a third straight month.

Consumer confidence unexpectedly fell in April to the weakest level in seven months as Americans were rattled by unsatisfying wage growth and concern over how the upcoming presidential election would impact the economy. The University of Michigan’s preliminary sentiment index for this month fell to 89.7, the lowest since September, from 91 in March. The median projection in a Bloomberg survey called for 92. The gauge averaged 92.9 last year, the best annual performance since 2004.

There will be no data releases both from Australia and USA on Monday so we can expect a bit steadier session.