Trading day in one post 27.05.2016

Markets in Asia were mostly higher on the final trading day of the week as traders awaited direction from U.S. Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen's comments due later.

Japan's Nikkei 225 traded up 0.44 percent after data showed consumer prices in April fell, likely putting additional pressure on the Bank of Japan to ease at its next monetary policy meeting, set for June.

the Kospi traded up 0.21 percent. Down Under, the ASX 200 advanced 0.51 percent, even as the energy and materials sub-indexes came under pressure, down 0.35 and 0.17 percent, respectively. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index was down 0.32 percent. Тhe Shanghai composite nearly flat, and the Shenzhen composite up 0.15 percent.

The Japanese yen reacted mildly to the CPI data, with the dollar-yen pair at 109.87 in mid-morning Asia time, up from around 109.61 before market open

Oil prices touched a psychologically key level of $50 a barrel on Thursday, before retreating. U.S. crude futures shed 0.59 percent to $49.19.

Dow Jones industrial index and S & P 500 were unchanged.

09:45 France - Consumer confidence
10:00 Spain - Retail Sales
10:15 Switzerland - Employment rate
11:00 Italy - Consumer Confidence
11:00 Italy - Business confidence
15:30 USA - Estimated GDP
15:30 USA - Estimated GDP deflator
17:00 US - Consumer Confidence of Michigan University
20:15 USA - Fed Chair Yellen Speaks

USD - Dollar remains relatively strong as investors are waiting for the Fed Chair Yellen Speaks and USA GDP for the first quarter is expected to be 0.9 percent, better than expected data will have a positive impact on the currency.

JPY - The yen remains relatively strong despite BoJ's attempts to devalue the currency, it is possible to see the appreciation of the yen.

GBP - Today is not expected news for the GBP, and currently sentiment for the pound remain positive due to the decreasing chance Britain to leave the EU.

Today it is possible to see profit taking in some of the tools, which suggesting a more cautious trading with distant stops.

Read more:

• Economic calendar for the European and American trade sessions 17.05.2018
• Australia – Unemployment rate above expectations 5.6% vs 5.5%
• CAD is the only currency in G-10 with positive quarter against USD
• UK – Halifax house prices below expectations -3.1% vs -0.2%
• Economic calendar for the European and American trade sessions 07.05.2018