There were no data releases from Australia yesterday, with focus remaining on China. Much of the recent weakness came after Beijing set erratic guidance for the yuan and further confused international investors by first introducing and then swiftly scrapping a 'circuit trigger' rule on its share markets, leading many observers to question its grasp on financial markets. Despite China's efforts to bring calm, including setting the central rate for the yuan marginally higher, analysts said they needed to see more transparency in the foreign exchange policy.
In the US session
JOLTS Job Openings figures were released
. Job openings were little changed at 5.4 million in November. The job openings rate was 3.7%. The number of job openings was little changed in November for total private and government. Job openings increased in health care and social assistance (+57,000) and decreased in retail trade (-64,000). In the regions, job openings increased in the South and decreased in the Midwest over the month.
Though there will be no data releases from Australia tomorrow,from China Trade Balance figures will be published. Decline in surplus to $52.9 billion is predicted. In the US session JOLTS Job Openings figures are scheduled for a release. Analysts are forecasting increase to 5.41 million.
Figures to watch:
China Trade Balance (Wednesday)
Crude Oil Inventories (Wednesday 16:00)