Australia employment -1700 jobs, much better than the forecast of -30,000. The unemployment rate for May 5.7%, as expected. AUDUSD jumps immediately from 8045 to 8080. The jobs number is much much better than expected and should act as support for AUD today.

French April industry output fell a hefty -1.4% m/m, much worse than expected, versus median forecast of -0.2%. Data has dented risk appetite a little, with EUR/USD falling back below 1.4100 to 1.4085 at writing. Cable is back below 1.6400 at 1.6395.

There is a story printed in today’s HK newspaper, Ming Pao Daily, that the upcoming Chinese May Industrial Output number will show growth of 8.9% yoy. If this is true it will be much greater than the median forecast of 7.6% that the market is expecting and should cause a stir in the currency markets. (Due this Friday).

French April trade deficit came in at -3.79 bln euros, better than the median forecast of -4.5 bln euros. EUR/USD continues to do well, presently at 1.3950.

Bank of France industry business sentiment index has come in at 81 in May, up from 75 in April, and better than the median forecast of 77. The Bank of France has revised up slightly it’s forecast for the Q-2, from -0.6% to 0.5%. EUR/USD is on something of a tear, presently up at 1.3920. Technical resistance now at 1.3935/40. Sources report good EUR/USD buying interest coming out of Asia.

German April trade surplus s.a came in at 9.0 bln euros compared to 8.9 bln in March, below the market median of 9.4 bln. The current account surplus came in at 5.8 bln, some way below the median forecast of 10.0 bln euros. EUR/USD having rallied in early European trade has slipped back slightly, presently at 1.3875.