Asia ex China gained, while China dropped, with investor sentiment bolstered by the positive cues overnight from Wall Street for a third straight session as upbeat corporate earnings results and U.S. economic data helped offset worries about U.S.-China trade tensions.
The US dollar, according to the US dollar index, largely disregarded the weaker-than-expected April retail sales report Wednesday, though eventually yielded to selling pressure on news US President Trump would delay tariffs on EU automobiles.
With Brexit talks between the Conservatives and Labour gridlocked, as well as easing concerns over US/China trade dispute and a mixed employment report out of the UK, the British pound remained on the defensive.
China broadcasted its decision to hike tariffs on $60 billion worth of American imports despite US President Trump’s warnings, consequently escalating trade tension and weighing on the market sentiment.
The Australian dollar weakened further against the US dollar over the course of last week, extending losses beneath the 2019 yearly opening level at 0.7042.
