The Japanese currency is once again close to 100 against the dollar and, reaching 99.4, pushes the Tokyo stock exchange which records a leap of 2,5%. Shanghai is also positive: the services PMI index recorded only a slight decrease (from 54.1 to 53.9) and remains without difficulty in the expansion corridor (above 50).
The MSCI Asia Pacific regional index climbed for the fourth consecutive day, gaining 1,4% at mid-day, its highest level in a month. Commodity companies advanced, in line with yesterday's 1,4% rise in the London Metal Exchange's industrial metals index. The feeling is that, after fears related to the Chinese slowdown and the withdrawal of monetary stimulus from the Fed, emerging markets are regaining confidence.
The euro fell slightly below 1,32 against the dollar and the Australian dollar strengthened following the decision of the Reserve Bank to leave the key rate unchanged at the 2.50% level.
In the gold market the net positions of the 'money managers' are long, probably counting on a 'gold rush' in the event of the opening of hostilities against Syria. But for now the yellow metal remains below 1400, at 1392 $/ounce. Oil is little changed, at 106.7 WTI (114.2 Brent).
