Market participants focused on the US macroeconomic data because of the uncertainty around the Fed's further plans. Reports from both the eurozone and China were not taken into consideration this week.
According to the government of China, the index of business activity in the manufacturing sector managed to leave the area of contraction and climb to 50.1 points. Analysts had expected a decline to 49.7 points.
On the other hand, the manufacturing PMI from HSBC has still shown a decrease of activity in the production sector. However, the current reading improved compared to the initial assessment. The final score hit the level of 49.6 points. Oil prices have remained under pressure this week as well as the Australian and New Zealand dollars.
The AUD/USD pair came back to yesterday's closing quote of 0.7605 half an hour prior to the release of data on the US ADP employment rate. The Reserve Bank of Australia that is expected to cut the interest rate keeps the Australian dollar near a multi-year low.
However, the key reason for the RBA to ease its monetary policy at the previous meeting was its wish to decrease the exchange rate of the national currency. So, if the Australian dollar extends falling, the central bank is likely to delay the monetary policy toughening.