The weaker PMI reading was partly a result of a renewed fall in new business volumes placed at Chinese manufacturers in December. Separate report on Private Sector Credit in Australia showed figures in line with market forecast, posting 0.5% increase.
In the US session Unemployment Claims, Chicago PMI and Pending Home Sales figures were released. In the week ending December 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 298,000, an increase of 17,000 from the previous week's revised level. Analysts were anticipating a smaller increase to 287,000. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 280,000 to 281,000.
The Chicago Business Barometer fell 2.5 points to a five month low of 58.3 in December. Analysts were predicting smaller decrease to 60.2 points. Decline was due to Production and both ordering components expanded at the slowest pace since July.
Pending Home Sales rose by 0.8% to 104.8 in November. Analysts were anticipating smaller incline by 0.6%. The indicator is now 4.1% above November 2013 (100.7) – the highest year-over-year gain since August 2013.Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said signed contracts inched forward in November and have been fairly stable but haven't broken out even as the economy picked up steam this spring.
There will be no major data releases from Australia on Friday. In the US session ISM Manufacturing PMI figures are scheduled for a release. Analysts are expecting a decrease to 57.6.
Figures to watch:
ISM Manufacturing PMI (Friday 16:00)
