By FXEmpire.com

Analysis and Recommendation: (close of Asian session)

The USD/JPY is exchanging hands at 80.548 as the USD continues to gain strength, moving well back from the low earlier this week at the 79. level. The greenback has been able to build some momentum on the back of yesterdays ISM Manufacturing Index, which showed expansion in the US. Manufacturing has been one of the weakest sectors and for the recovery to push through manufacturing had to expand to help create jobs.

This week is full of eco data related to labor and jobs, with the ADP payroll report on Wed, the Unemployment Claims on Thursday and the all important monthly Non Farms Payroll report on Friday. The US needs to show job growth and creation to support the USD.

Economic Data for May 1 – 2, 2012 actual v. forecast

( Most markets were closed for “May Day” Holiday)

GBP

Manufacturing PMI

50.5

51.4

51.9

USD

ISM Manufacturing Index

54.8

53.0

53.4

May 02

CNY

Chinese HSBC Manufacturing PMI

49.30

49.10

Economic Events for May 3, 2012 for the Asian and US Markets

8:30am USD Unemployment Claims

Measures the number of individuals who filed for unemployment insurance for the first time during the past week. Although it’s generally viewed as a lagging indicator, the number of unemployed people is an important signal of overall economic health because consumer spending is highly correlated with labor-market conditions.

8:30am USD Prelim Nonfarm Productivity q/q

Measures annualized change in labor efficiency when producing goods and services, excluding the farming industry. Productivity and labor-related inflation are directly linked – a drop in a worker’s productivity is equivalent to a rise in their wage. When businesses pay more for labor the higher costs are usually passed on to the consumer.

8:30am USD Prelim Unit Labor Costs q/q

This measures annualized change in the price businesses pay for labor, excluding the farming industry. It’s a leading indicator of consumer inflation – when businesses pay more for labor the higher costs are usually passed on to the consumer.

10:00am USD ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI

The Institute for Supply Management measures the level of a diffusion index based on surveyed purchasing managers, excluding the manufacturing industry. It’s a leading indicator of economic health – businesses react quickly to market conditions, and their purchasing managers hold perhaps the most current and relevant insight into the company’s view of the economy.

1:00pm USD FOMC Member Lockhart Speaks

Federal Reserve FOMC members vote on where to set the nation’s key interest rates and their public engagements are often used to drop subtle clues regarding future monetary policy.

9:30pm AUD RBA Monetary Policy Statement

Released quarterly the Statement on Monetary Policy provides valuable insight into the bank’s view of economic conditions and inflation – the key factors that will shape the future of monetary policy and influence their interest rate decisions.

Government Bond Auctions (this week)

Date Time Country

May 03 08:30 Spain

May 03 08:50 France

May 03 09:10 Sweden

May 03 09:30 UK

May 08 09:15 Austria

May 08 09:30 Belgium

May 08 14:30 UK

May 08 15:30 Italy

May 08 17:00 US

May 09 09:10 Sweden

May 09 09:30 Germany

May 09 09:30 Swiss

May 09 09:30 UK

May 09 14:30 Sweden

May 09 15:30 Italy

May 09 17:00 US

May 10 15:00 US

May 10 17:00 US

May 11 09:10 Italy BOT auction

May 11 10:00 Belgium

Click here to read USD/JPY Technical Analysis.

Originally posted here