Futures

Euro

– Market optimism fades and suggests more USD strength – Widespread calls for a break lower in Eur/Usd – Key economic data and political risk ahead – Focus for now on monthly US employment data Although we have seen no clear breakouts in most of the major currencies, and although the Euro still remains locked in a very well defined 1.3000-1.3500 consolidation (that has defined trade for much of 2012),

Breaking News - Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP)

Non-Farm Payrolls rise less than expected.

Breaking News - U.S. Service Sector

U.S. Service Sector shows

Breaking News - From the ECB's Draghi

ECB’s Draghi:

Breaking News - Labor Department Weekly Release

Labor Department Weekly Release out – are they forecasting the Friday’s Non-Farm Payroll release?

Breaking News - ADP Numbers Out

Payrolls processor Automatic Data Processing says private-sector jobs

Euro

THE TAKEAWAY: Manufacturing PMIs much weaker than expected -> Core countries hit by slowing demand from the European south -> Euro falls against US Dollar Weak readings from the European manufacturing sector sparked a bout of Euro weakness today. The weighty German manufacturing purchasing managers’ index came in at 46.2 versus the expected 46.3. Beleaguered Italy was hit hardest, with the gauge coming in at 43.8 versus the expected 47.1.

Rise in German Unemployment Further Discourages Euro Investors

THE TAKEAWAY: German unemployment rises by 19K, despite expectations for 10K fall -> positive labor market trend was said to have been outweighed by slowdown of economic momentum -> Euro drops as weak PMI manufacturing also comes in

Gold Bars

Daily Bars Prepared by Jamie Saettele, CMT for DailyFX Last week’s hold above the 4/4 low suggests that gold has been forming a bullish base since mid-March. Exceeding the April high would put bulls in control towards the trendline above 1700 (that line extends off of the September 2011 and February 2012 highs).

A Deeper Look Into the ISM Manufacturing Report

The ISM Manufacturing Index climbed in April to a level of 54.8 from 53.4 March, beating analysis expectations. In fact expectations were for decline to 53.0 levels. While the Price Paid Index held at 61.0 for the month.