Sydney Open Briefing: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Sydney opens with a mixed sentiment following the overnight session. US tech stocks, represented by USTEC, gained 0.83%, and the broader US500 rose 0.31%. Gold, XAUUSD, declined 0.67%. In currency markets, AUDUSD fell 0.27% and GBPUSD was down 0.24%. The overall risk meter stands at +0.39, indicating a modest risk-on tone. Notably, the US Dollar showed +0.26% strength over 24 hours, while AUD was the strongest currency at +0.40% over the same period, suggesting cross-currency dynamics.
Recent data releases included the Dallas Fed Trimmed Mean PCE Inflation Rate for USD, which came in at 2.2% against a consensus of 1.7%, a significant +29.4% surprise. Foreign Exchange Flows for BRL registered -4.056B, considerably below the -0.74B consensus, marking a -448.1% surprise. US energy data from the EIA showed Refinery Utilization Rate Change at 0.2%, Refinery Crude Oil Daily Inputs Change at -0.002M, and Gasoline Production Change at 0.061M, a +196.8% surprise against a -0.063M consensus. Distillate Fuel Production Change was -0.091M, a -306.8% surprise.
Looking ahead, the France Jobseekers Total for EUR, with a consensus of 3177K, was due at Wed 22:00 UTC. The BOK Monetary Policy Board Meeting for KRW is scheduled at Thu 01:00 UTC. Traders will also monitor the Private New Capital Expenditure q/q for AUD at Thu 01:30 UTC, with a consensus of 0.7% following a previous 6.5%.
The upcoming Private New Capital Expenditure q/q for AUD will be a key release for the session.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Biggest moves since the previous session | USTEC +0.83%, XAUUSD -0.67%, UK100 -0.31% |
| Currency strength, 24h | AUD strongest at +0.40%, NZD weakest at -0.38% |
| Risk meter | +0.39 (risk-on) |
Scheduled this session (High and Medium impact)
| Time | Ccy | Event | Impact | Consensus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22:00 UTC | EUR | France Jobseekers Total | Medium | 3177K |
| 01:00 UTC | KRW | BOK Monetary Policy Board Meeting | Medium | – |
| 01:30 UTC | AUD | Private New Capital Expenditure q/q | Medium | 0.7% |
| 06:00 UTC | EUR | Germany GfK Consumer Climate | Medium | -29.5 |
| 06:30 UTC | CHF | Employment Level | Medium | 5.54M |
| 08:00 UTC | EUR | ECB Households Loans y/y | Medium | 2.9% |
Times are UTC. This brief describes measured market state and the published schedule. It is not financial advice and nothing in it is a trade recommendation.