Sydney Open Briefing: Wednesday, August 5, 2026
The Sydney trading session opens with a generally risk-on tone, following a strong performance in global equities. The USTEC closed +2.09% higher, the JP225 gained +1.93%, and the US500 was up +1.56%. The Risk Meter currently stands at +0.34. The AUD is the strongest currency over the last 24 hours, up +0.59%, while the JPY is the weakest, down -0.58%. The USD saw a slight decline of -0.16% over the same period, despite some mixed economic releases.
Recent US data showed JOLTS Job Openings at 7.359M, exceeding the 6.948M consensus. However, Factory Orders m/m decreased by -0.3%, missing the 0.1% consensus, and Factory Orders excl. Transportation m/m fell -0.4% against a 1.1% consensus. Meanwhile, Nondefense Capital Goods Shipments excl. Aircraft m/m increased by 2%, slightly above the 1.9% consensus. South Korea’s Foreign Exchange Reserves were reported at 427.95B, below the 432.72B consensus.
Looking ahead in the session, New Zealand’s Employment Change q/q is expected at 0.1%, with the Unemployment Rate anticipated at 5.4%. Australia will see the Ai Group Industry Index, S&P Global Services PMI, and S&P Global Composite PMI. Japan is scheduled to release the BoJ Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes and the au Jibun Bank Services PMI, while China’s Caixin Composite PMI is also due. Traders will be monitoring New Zealand’s employment data closely.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Biggest moves since the previous session | USTEC +2.09%, JP225 +1.93%, US500 +1.56% |
| Currency strength, 24h | AUD strongest at +0.59%, JPY weakest at -0.58% |
| Risk meter | +0.34 (risk-on) |
Scheduled this session (High and Medium impact)
| Time | Ccy | Event | Impact | Consensus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22:45 UTC | NZD | New Zealand Employment Change q/q | High | 0.1% |
| 22:45 UTC | NZD | Unemployment Rate | High | 5.4% |
| 23:00 UTC | AUD | Ai Group Industry Index | Medium | – |
| 23:00 UTC | AUD | S&P Global Services PMI | Medium | 58.9 |
| 23:00 UTC | AUD | S&P Global Composite PMI | Medium | – |
| 23:50 UTC | JPY | BoJ Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes | Medium | – |
| 00:30 UTC | JPY | au Jibun Bank Services PMI | Medium | 52.6 |
| 01:45 UTC | CNY | Caixin Composite PMI | Medium | – |
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.