Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
The U.S. Treasuries remained flat during Monday’s afternoon session after reacting to the Iranian news over the weekend; the S&P 500 opened lower this morning in the wake of ongoing tension in the Middle East.
Today’s economic calendar remains nearly empty, with barely any data of huge economic significance.
The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield hovered around 1.783 percent, the super-long 30-year bond yield remained flat at 2.246 percent and the yield on the short-term 2-year too traded steady at 1.530 percent by 12:45GMT.
A key focus in the US will be the December labour market report on Friday, with non-farm payrolls expected to have risen by somewhat less than the 180k average for the first eleven months of the year, having leapt 266k in November partly thanks to returning GM strikers. While revisions to the Household Survey will also be released, the unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged at 3.5 percent. And growth in average hourly labour earnings is expected to move sideways at 3.1 percent y/y, Daiwa Capital Markets reported.
Other US data due this week include the December non-manufacturing ISM survey results (tomorrow), along with the final November trade and factory orders figures and followed by the ADP jobs data (Wednesday). Fed speakers include Board of Governors Vice Chair Clarida and New York Fed President Williams, both on Thursday, the report added.
Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Futures remained tad -0.42 percent down at 3,221.88 by 12:50GMT.
