Risk Assets Remain In Holding Pattern Throughout European, US Trade

Risk assets remained in a holding pattern throughout European and US trade, with no fresh catalysts to sway investors significantly in either direction. Market participants continued to monitor the wires for any headlines on Greece and this resulted in a mildly negative bias in European equities.

US equities were mostly flat with no data prints on the calendar and a bank holiday seeing some markets closed. On the currency front, AUD/USD went on to test 1.044 after trading back above 1.04 in yesterday’s Asian session. The 1.044 capped the upside and continues to act as near-term resistance. EUR/USD remained sidelined just above 1.27 with Greece uncertainty continuing to keep the bulls at bay.

Ahead of the open, we are calling the Aussie market down 0.1% at 4442. On the local economic front, we have NAB business confidence data due out at 11.30am. However, this is unlikely to be a big sentiment driver. We have been getting a lot of commentary out of China recently, with the leadership change and a swathe of economic releases hitting the wires. China is likely to remain the centre of focus for the region, and any comments from there could be a big sentiment driver.

On a stock level, we expect to see a mildly softer start for BHP Billiton, with its ADR pointing to a 0.3% fall to $34.21. Reports in the AFR are suggesting BHP is considering shipping some of its US shale gas to Asia. This could have a big impact on regional LNG projects and will likely be a big talking point in today’s session.

Base metals had a fairly positive session and this might give some of the miners a lift. Incitec Pivot has reported its full-year results today, which will put its shares in focus. QBE Insurance will be one to watch yet again as S&P revised its outlook on the insurer to negative from stable.