An eventful and busy Thursday´s Asia session, characterized by the risk-on market profile amid the latest reports on Brexit progress, China stimulus plans and upbeat Asia-pac economic data. The Asian stocks traded mixed, but the Chinese equities rallied, lifting the overall market sentiment. The risk currencies such as the Aussie, Kiwi and pound sharply higher while the Euro, CHF and the CAD towed in higher by notable USD supply.

But the USD/JPY pair traded modestly flat below 113.00, divided between broad-based US dollar weakness and risk-on trades. The Kiwi was the strongest, followed by the Aussie that found a fresh trigger from Australia’s bumper trade figures and slightly upbeat China Caixin manufacturing PMI. Meanwhile, the pound jumped nearly 80-pips on the FT report that the UK PM May struck a Brexit deal with the EU on financial services.

Despite a better risk environment, both crude benchmarks traded on the front foot, as escalating US-China trade woes and global growth concerns weigh. Gold prices on Comex re-attempted the $ 1220 barrier, helped by muted Treasury yields and the weaker greenback.

Main Topics in Asia

Australian Trade Balance surges to record $3.017 billion on falling Imports

PM May strikes Brexit deal with the EU on Financial Services - FT

China signals further stimulus as manufacturing suffers - Bloomberg

China Caixin Manufacturing PMI stagnates at 50.1 in October, but beats estimates

Moody's: China's plan to cut personal taxes is credit negative

UK BrexitMin Raab sees Brexit deal by November 21st

Asian stocks are flashing green on China stimulus talks

China Vice FinMin: China is planning tax cuts to boost consumption – Reuters      

GBP/USD: Put value drops sharply on Brexit optimism

Key Focus Ahead

There is no relevant macro news from the Euroland today, with the French, Spanish and Italian markets closed on a National holiday. However, the EUR, GBP traders will remain busy, as the UK docket remains full, with the UK manufacturing PMI report on the cards, followed by the BOE”s Super Thursday events.

The BOE will announce its monetary policy decision at 1200 GMT that will be accompanied by the Quarterly Inflation Report (QIR) and the minutes of the MPC meeting. The BOE is widely expected to keep the interest rates on hold amid looming Brexit uncertainty while the bank’s outlook on the inflation and rate hikes could stir some moves in the pound.

Moving on, BOE Governor Carney’s speech will be also closely eyed at 1230 GMT alongside the releases of the US weekly jobless claims. Meanwhile, the US ISM manufacturing PMI and Canadian Markit PMI reports will hog the limelight among other minority reports in the NA session.

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Indian Rupee to see little reprieve over the coming year – Reuters poll

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