Australia's November retail sales came in lower at 0.8% m/m vs. 1.0% consensus and 0.6% prior.
Australia widened its November trade surplus to AUD 7.08 bn from AUD 5.67 bn last, topping the consensus expectation of AUD 5.75 bn.
Sterling was the biggest mover overnight, with UK Gilt prices tumbling and pushing 10-year yields to their highest since 2008. It is now pushing below 1.2300, approaching levels unseen since November 2023.
Gold was flat in the Asia trading session, while silver was up 0.2% and palladium 0.15% higher.
EFPs remain the focal point in the precious metals complex at the moment, however, with markets still awaiting clarity on Trump 2.0 tariff policy.
The yuan steadied near a 16-month low as the PBOC announced record bill sales in Hong Kong.
It’s a low-impact news day, with major US stock exchanges closed in observance of a national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter.
Markets are likely to remain subdued as they look ahead to Non-Farm Payrolls on Friday.
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