EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Fig 1: Japan Real Wages Remained Negative Y/Y In April

Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg/Refinitiv.
UK
HOUSING (BBG): “Britain’s property market saw its busiest month in over three years in May, defying expectations for a slowdown after a tax break for buyers expired. “
EU
RUSSIA (BBG): “Donald Trump on Wednesday broadcast Vladimir Putin’s warning that he’ll retaliate against Ukraine for its recent stunning drone strikes deep inside Russian territory, the clearest signal yet that the US president’s peace efforts have stalled.” +
GERMANY (BBG): "As Donald Trump pushes ahead with his campaign to transform the way the world does business, Germany is uniquely vulnerable. Trump has harbored a grudge against Germany since his first term in office and the country’s auto and steel industries are particularly exposed to his tariffs
NATO (ECONOMIST): “Defence ministers from NATO’s 32 member states will meet at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels on Thursday. Pete Hegseth, America’s secretary of defence, will deliver remarks alongside Mark Rutte, NATO’s secretary-general.”
FRANCE (ECONOMIST): “Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, begins a state visit to France on Thursday. President Emmanuel. Besides trade and investment, a focus of the trip will be environmental conservation. But the pair will have some contentious issues to discuss too. One is the Mercosur free-trade deal between the European Union and four Latin American countries, including Brazil, which France opposes.”
US
FED (MNI BRIEF): U.S. economic activity weakened somewhat in recent weeks while firms report unusually high levels of uncertainty associated with tariffs, the Federal Reserve's Beige Book report said Wednesday.
FED (MNI BRIEF): The U.S. Senate Wednesday confirmed Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman as the central bank's new vice chair for supervision in a narrow 48-46 vote along party lines with six abstentions.
FED (BBG): "Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari said the US central bank is well positioned to wait and see how tariff policies impact the economy before adjusting interest rates."
SERVICES (MNI INTERVIEW): Tariffs To Lift Service Costs Further, ISM Says
TRAVEL (BBG): “President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a proclamation that bans individuals from 12 countries from entering the US, reinstating one of the most controversial and defining measures from his first term in the wake of an attack in Boulder, Colorado, that targeted a march in support of Israeli hostages.”
FISCAL (RTRS): “Hardline conservative Republicans in the U.S. Senate and billionaire Elon Musk showed no sign of softening opposition to President Donald Trump's tax-cut and spending bill on Wednesday, as they pushed for deeper reductions in government outlays.”
OTHER
CANADA (MNI INTERVIEW): BOC Still On Cut Path As GDP Falters- Ex Adviser
CANADA (MNI BRIEF): Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem told reporters Wednesday the economy remains somewhere between the two scenarios officials laid out in April around the the intensity of the U.S. trade war, and the recent climb in core inflation has his attention.
CANADA/CHINA (MNI BRIEF): Canada's trade minister said Wednesday he met with a Chinese counterpart and they "committed to continuing conversations to resolve trade irritants."
JAPAN (MNI BRIEF): Japan’s inflation-adjusted real wages fell 1.8% in April from a year earlier, marking the fourth consecutive month in negative territory, unchanged from March’s pace and 20 basis points below expectations, preliminary data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare showed Thursday.
AUSTRALIA (MNI): Weak Productivity To Cramp RBA's Easing Path - Ex Staff
CHINA
SMEs (ECONOMIC DAILY): “Authorities will increase financing supply for small and private enterprises involved in foreign trade, technology and consumption, Economic Daily reported, citing a National Financial Regulatory Administration statement with seven other departments.”
TARIFFS (YICAI): “China should not consider a comprehensive zero tariff trade policy given the nation's economic and security development, an analyst at the Ministry of Commerce Research Institute told Yicai news, emphasising the comments reflected personal views amid public debate on the issue.”
SERVICES (BBG): "China’s services activity expanded at a faster pace in May, a private survey showed, in a sign the consumer economy is stabilizing while higher US tariffs threaten demand for exports.
CHINA MARKETS
MNI: PBOC Net Drains CNY139.5 Bln via OMO Thursday
MNI (BEIJING) - The People's Bank of China (PBOC) conducted CNY126.5 billion via 7-day reverse repos, with the rate unchanged at 1.40%. The operation led to a net drain of CNY139.5 billion after offsetting the maturities of CNY266 billion today, according to Wind Information.
MNI: PBOC Sets Yuan Parity Lower At 7.1865 Thurs; +0.91% Y/Y
MNI (BEIJING) - The People's Bank of China (PBOC) set the dollar-yuan central parity rate lower at 7.1865 on Thursday, compared with 7.1886 set on Wednesday. The fixing was estimated at 7.1783 by Bloomberg survey today.
MARKET DATA
AUSTRALIA APRIL HOUSEHOLD SPENDING +0.1% M/M & +3.7% Y/Y; EST.+0.2%/+3.6%; MAR. -0.1%/+3.8%
AUSTRALIA APRIL TRADE SURPLUS A$5.41B; EST. A$6.00B; MAR. A$6.89B
AUSTRALIA APRIL EXPORTS -2.4% M/M; MAR. +7.2%
AUSTRALIA APRIL IMPORTS +1.1% M/M; MAR. -2.4%
NEW ZEALAND COTALITY HOME VALUES MAY -0.1% M/M; APR. -0.1%
NEW ZEALAND Q1 CONSTRUCTION WORK UNCHANGED Q/Q; EST. -0.8%; Q4 -5.0%
NEW ZEALAND MAY ANZ COMMODITY EXPORT PRICES +1.9% M/M; APR. 0.0%
JAPAN APRIL LABOR CASH EARNINGS +2.3% Y/Y; EST. +2.6%; MAR. +2.3%
JAPAN APRIL REAL CASH EARNINGS -1.8% Y/Y; EST. -1.6%; MAR. -1.8%
JAPAN APRIL SAME BASE REGULAR FULL-TIME PAY +2.5% Y/Y; EST. +2.3%; MAR. +2.1%
JAPAN APRIL CASH WAGES FROM SAME SAMPLE +2.6% Y/Y; EST. +2.8%; MAR. +2.7%
S. KOREA Q1 GDP -0.2% Q/Q, SAME AS PREVIOUS ESTIMATE; EST. -0.2%; Q4 +0.1%
S. KOREA Q1 GDP 0.0% Y/Y, REVISED FROM -0.1%; EST. -0.1%; Q4 +1.3%
CHINA MAY CAIXIN SERVICES PMI 51.1; EST. 51.0; APR. 50.7
CHINA MAY CAIXIN COMPOSITE PMI 49.6; APR. 51.1
MARKETS
US TSYS: Asia Wrap - Yields Drift Higher
The TYU5 range has been 111-01 to 111-05+ during the Asia-Pacific session. It last changed hands at 111-01+, down 0-02 from the previous close.
JGBS: Market Quickly Reverses Initial Weakness After Poor 30Y Auction
JGB futures are sharply stronger and at Tokyo session highs, +46 compared to settlement levels, after quickly reversing initial weakness following today’s poor 30-year auction.
AUSSIE BONDS: Modestly Richer, Narrow Ranges, Jun-31 Supply Tomorrow
ACGBs (YM +2.0 & XM +2.5) sit slightly stronger after dealing in relatively narrow ranges in today’s Sydney session.
BONDS: NZGBS: Bull-Steepener, Apr-29 Supply Sees ~6.0x Cover
NZGBs closed showing a bull-steepener, with benchmark yields 1-3bps lower. While the 2-year finished at session bests, the 10-year yield closed some 4bps higher than its low.
FOREX: Asia FX Wrap - BBDXY Can't Bounce, Eye's 1200 Pivot
The BBDXY has had a range of 1207.21 - 1209.24 in the Asia-Pac session, it is currently trading around 1208. “The EU asked China to address its export restrictions on rare earths and magnets, which are causing disruptions for the European car industry. The Asian nation has introduced a tracking system for the products, Reuters reported”. China Data - CAIXIN PMI Services Rises in May: Following the disappointing May CAIXIN PMI Manufacturing, all eyes were on the CAIXIN PMI Services. May's result of +51.1 will be a welcome relief to market watchers. The USD looking at breaking some crucial levels against a range of currencies, the NFP print tomorrow night will be a key input to determine if these can follow through.
Data/Events : Germ Factory Orders, Italy Retail sales, EZ PPI, ECB
Fig 1: GBP/USD Spot Weekly Chart

Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg
JPY: Asia Wrap - Moves Back To 143.00
The Asia-Pac USD/JPY range has been 142.53 - 142.97, Asia is currently trading around 142.85. USD/JPY had a pop higher just after the Japanese Fix but has failed to follow through above 143.00 in our session.
Options : Close significant option expiries for NY cut, based on DTCC data: 140.00($2b), 143.00($1.28b). Upcoming Close Strikes : 140.00($1.13b June 6), 142.00($1.56b June 6), 140.00($1.04b June 9).
Fig 1 : USD/JPY Spot Monthly Chart

Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg
AUD: Asia Wrap - Treads Water With An Eye On 0.6550
The AUD/USD has had a range of 0.6489 - 0.6509 in the Asia- Pac session, it is currently trading around 0.6495. The AUD has had a very quiet session, treading water as it eyes testing the 0.6550 area.
AUD/JPY - Today's range 92.56 - 92.91, it is trading currently around 92.80. Range looks 92.00 - 94.00 for now, a sustained break sub 91.50/92.00 will bring focus back to towards the lows again.
Fig 1: AUD/JPY spot Hourly Chart

Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg
NZD: Asia Wrap - NZD Drifts Higher, Eyeing A Break Above 0.6050
The NZD/USD had a range of 0.6025 - 0.6043 in the Asia-Pac session, going into the London open trading around 0.6035. The NZD has had a quiet session consolidating its recent gains above 0.6000 and now eyes a move above 0.6050.
AUD/NZD range for the session has been 1.0762 - 1.0776, currently trading 1.0765. A top looks in place now just above 1.0900, the market will have been looking for a more dovish tone from the RBNZ last week and AUD/NZD could now see supply on bounces. The sell zone is back towards 1.0800/25 with the first target being around 1.0650.
Fig 1: NZD/USD Spot Weekly Chart

Source: MNI - Market News/Bloomberg
ASIA STOCKS: A Positive Day for Major Bourses
South Korea's KOSPI rose again today on post election optimism. Korean stocks were supported by the rally in Nvidia's stock with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix benefitting.
OIL: Crude Down Marginally On Saudi Position To Keep Increasing Output
Oil prices are lower again during today’s APAC trading after falling around a percent on Wednesday following disappointing US data and Saudi Arabia keeping its options open to increase output further. WTI is down 0.4% to $62.59/bbl, holding just above the 50-day EMA, after reaching $62.81 earlier. Brent is 0.3% lower at $64.68/bbl after a high of $64.93. The USD index is little changed.
Gold Range Trading Ahead Of Friday’s Payrolls, Fed Speak Later
After rising moderately on Wednesday, gold is slightly lower during today’s APAC session. It is down 0.1% to $3368.4 off the intraday high of $3384.18 as it continues to trade below initial resistance at $3392.2, 3 June high. US yields and the greenback are slightly higher, while equities in the region are generally stronger.
UP TODAY (TIMES GMT/LOCAL)
| Date | GMT/Local | Impact | Country | Event |
| 05/06/2025 | 0545/0745 | ** | Unemployment | |
| 05/06/2025 | 0600/0800 | ** | Manufacturing Orders | |
| 05/06/2025 | 0600/0800 | *** | Flash Inflation Report | |
| 05/06/2025 | 0730/0930 | ** | S&P Global Final Eurozone Construction PMI | |
| 05/06/2025 | 0745/0845 | BOE's Greene Opening Remarks at Econdat Conference 2025 | ||
| 05/06/2025 | 0800/1000 | * | Retail Sales | |
| 05/06/2025 | 0830/0930 | Decision Maker Panel data | ||
| 05/06/2025 | 0830/0930 | ** | S&P Global/CIPS Construction PMI | |
| 05/06/2025 | 0900/1100 | ** | PPI | |
| 05/06/2025 | 1215/1415 | *** | ECB Deposit Rate | |
| 05/06/2025 | 1215/1415 | *** | ECB Main Refi Rate | |
| 05/06/2025 | 1215/1415 | *** | ECB Marginal Lending Rate | |
| 05/06/2025 | 1230/0830 | *** | Jobless Claims | |
| 05/06/2025 | 1230/0830 | ** | WASDE Weekly Import/Export | |
| 05/06/2025 | 1230/0830 | ** | International Merchandise Trade (Trade Balance) | |
| 05/06/2025 | 1230/0830 | ** | Trade Balance | |
| 05/06/2025 | 1230/0830 | ** | Non-Farm Productivity (f) | |
| 05/06/2025 | 1230/0830 | ** | Trade Balance | |
| 05/06/2025 | 1245/1445 | ECB Press Conference | ||
| 05/06/2025 | 1400/1000 | * | Ivey PMI | |
| 05/06/2025 | 1430/1030 | ** | Natural Gas Stocks | |
| 05/06/2025 | 1530/1130 | * | US Bill 08 Week Treasury Auction Result | |
| 05/06/2025 | 1530/1130 | ** | US Bill 04 Week Treasury Auction Result | |
| 05/06/2025 | 1600/1200 | Fed Governor Adriana Kugler | ||
| 05/06/2025 | 1620/1220 | BOC Deputy Kozicki speech | ||
| 06/06/2025 | 2330/0830 | ** | Household spending | |
| 06/06/2025 | 0600/0800 | ** | Trade Balance | |
| 06/06/2025 | 0600/0800 | ** | Industrial Production | |
| 06/06/2025 | 0645/0845 | * | Industrial Production | |
| 06/06/2025 | 0645/0845 | * | Foreign Trade | |
| 06/06/2025 | 0830/1030 | ECB Lagarde Video Message For CIBP Anniv | ||
| 06/06/2025 | 0900/1100 | ** | Retail Sales | |
| 06/06/2025 | 0900/1100 | *** | GDP (final) | |
| 06/06/2025 | 0900/1100 | * | Employment | |
| 06/06/2025 | 1230/0830 | *** | Labour Force Survey | |
| 06/06/2025 | 1230/0830 | *** | Employment Report | |
| 06/06/2025 | 1230/0830 | *** | Labour Force Survey |