Halister News

(Bloomberg) -- Yen gains against dollar, leading advances among regional Asian currencies on expectations a U.S. job report later Friday won’t change Fed outlook.

• Gauge of dollar index had its worst quarter since Sept. 2010; Aussie, rupiah, ringgit and baht advance Friday
• USD-selling pressure is expected to continue for next 1-2 weeks, says Atsushi Hirano, head of FX sales Japan at RBS
• Economic outlook in Asia mixed with Japan’s Tankan index falling to 6, less than median forecast of 8 in Bloomberg survey, while China manufacturing PMI beat estimates
• Yuan snaps four-day rally, with USD/CNH buying led by leveraged accounts and banks, with their focus more on U.S. jobs report, according to FX traders in North Asia.
• China PMI rose to 50.2 in March, more than median estimate 49.4; the improvement suggests less PBOC easing may be needed, Guosen Securities economist Janice Yu says
• Aussie strengthens versus dollar after data showed Australia’s manufacturing index jumped to 58.1 in March, highest since April 2004
• Rupiah advances; Indonesia’s consumer prices rose 4.45% in March on year after 4.42% in February
• Thailand’s 10-year government bonds advance for fifth straight day; nation’s consumer prices probably declined 0.43% in March from year earlier following 0.50% slide prior month, according to Bloomberg survey before data today
• Won weakens for the first time this week; while March exports beat estimates, foreigners withdrew $3.26b from local debt and equities in Feb.; capital inflow is expected in March