Yesterday the Nasdaq closed above 5,000 for the first time since March of 2000. U.S. stock markets are currently establishing significant roadposts, because the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 are already trending at historic highs.
The ISM Manufacturing PMI from the United States released yesterday came in 0.1 below analysts' forecasts of 52.9. This economic indicator has been posting a number greater than 50 for more than 2 years, and when it is above this level, this sector is expanding.
The Reserve Bank of Australia surprised pundits earlier this morning by keeping its key rate unchanged at 2.25%, because most of them had expected a key rate cut of 0.25%. What's more, the Australian dollar jumped by more than 0.6% one minute before the central bank announced its decision, raising a few questions about a data leak.
Regarding economic indicators, today we are awaiting Canadian GDP data for Q4 of 2014. Analysts are forecasting 2% growth over this period. We will also have Raw Materials Prices figures. Have a good day!
Philippe Shebib
Range of the day: 1.2470 - 1.2560