Forex: AUD/USD prints fresh 3-month lows below 1.0250

As news of a 5.1 earthquake in North Korea was crossing the wires minutes ago, Aussie was slipping lower to just have printed fresh 3-month lows at 1.0241, last at 1.0246 off those lows. The pair loses -0.76% already for the week so far on continued Aussie weakness, despite positive NAB business confidence released in early Asian trade.

Hong-Kong, Singapore and mainland China will keep closed for today over holidays, while Japan and South Korea returned to trading from yesterday's break. Fears over a possible artificial cause of the earthquake are rising, pointing to a nuclear test, “likely” to be the case, said SK defense ministry, cited by Bloomberg. As for Aussie “The Australian dollar may halt a recent drop versus the U.S. currency after finding so-called support toward $1.0225, JPMorgan Chase and Co. said citing trading patterns,” reported Eamonn Sheridan at Forexlive.

Immediate support to the downside for AUD/USD lies at Oct 23 lows 1.0231, followed by Oct 15 lows at 1.0198, and Sept 05 lows at 1.0162. To the upside, closest resistance shows at yesterday's/Friday's lows 1.0248/54, followed by London session lows at 1.0262, and Thursday's lows/NY session highs at 1.0295.

Feb 12, 2013

UPDATE -South Korean defense ministry confirms North Korea nuclear test

We earlier reported that South Korea was reporting that a possible North Korea nuclear test took place, according to NHK. The Reuters out out the following headline saying that "the USGS said the epicentre was close to North Korea's known nuclear test site." Bloomberg then has had its follow-up adding that the nuclear test was likely. Now, we have the outh Korean Defense Ministry confirming that DPRK nuclear test was indeed conducted. Coordinates of North Korea's '09 nuclear test were: 41.2°N 129.2°E ... The event that just happened shows the following coordinates 41.299°N 129.081°E.

Business leaders in Japan not demanding a specific Yen level, says Amari

According to headlines crossing the wires, Japan’s Economy Minister Mr. Amari has said to reporters in Tokyo that after a meeting with business leaders, there was no implicit request for any specific Yen level. USD/JPY continues to consolidates above 94.05, new 2.5 year high, with current quote at 94.25 after topping out at 94.45.