American focus: the yen fell markedly

The dollar traded higher against the euro, although it retreated from earlier reached maximum values. Note that a small effect on the dynamics of trade was the statement of the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke, who said that the U.S. financial system still faces challenges, five years after the onset of the financial crisis. This is forcing regulators to extend their control over all aspects of financial and capital markets. On Friday declared a speech in Chicago, Bernanke said that a number of risks, despite the variety of measures to restore financial markets adopted by lawmakers and regulators since the financial crisis in 2008. Save important risks in terms of short-term financing, and the Company's dependence on short-term wholesale funding markets also remains a source of concern, Bernanke added. Bernanke said the Fed and other regulators in a more holistic approach to assessing the state of the financial markets and exploring those areas that may have paid little attention to the crisis. Central Bank more closely monitoring those companies that have a systemic risk to the economy. The Fed collects more detailed information about the interdependent nature of these companies, evaluating the asset markets and the shadow banking sector for possible vulnerabilities, he said. It is worth noting that Bernanke did not emphasize the intensifying debate among regulators in Washington about capital standards for the banking system.

We also add that, despite the positive monthly performance report for April, which exceeded the forecasts of experts, the dollar continued its decline against the euro.

The yen fell, having passed beyond the level of Y101 to the dollar for the first time in four years, after the release was better than expected data on the number of applications for unemployment in the United States. The publication of this report has provoked widespread increase in the dollar. The yen has fallen by 15% this year. The number of initial claims for unemployment benefits in the U.S. in the week 28 April - 4 May 4000, and decreased by taking into account the correction for seasonal variations was 323,000. This is according to the Ministry of Labour, presented on Thursday. This value was better than forecast by economists. USD / JPY pair finally managed to break above Y100. It was trading around this level since April 4, when the Bank of Japan introduced an aggressive plan to inject liquidity into their economies to stimulate GDP growth.

Also today, Japan registered a current account surplus in the balance of payments for the third month in a row in March, which was 4.3% lower compared to the same period last year. Contributed surplus income from foreign investments, despite the fact that exports remained weak. Current account surplus in the balance of payments in March totaled 1.25 trillion yen. Economists had expected a surplus of 1.22 trillion yen. The balance of payments is calculated determining the difference between Japan's income from foreign sources and payments on foreign bonds, and excludes net capital investment.

The Australian dollar fell to a level of parity against the U.S. dollar after the Reserve Bank of Australia this week cut its benchmark interest rate to a record low. Also today, the RBA released a quarterly report on the course of monetary policy. As it became known, the RBA lowered its inflation forecast for the end of the year to a level of 2.25 percent, and the GDP growth forecast remains unchanged - at 2.5 per cent, which is in the middle of the previously forecasted range of 2-3 percent. For investment in the mining sector, the Reserve Bank of Australia said that they will remain around current levels in 2013-2014., Which is a positive sign, because the prevailing view was that the observers that should be expected to reduce them. The statement also said that the outlook for economic growth has changed little compared to the initial estimate, which was introduced in February. In addition, it is expected that GDP growth will be slightly below trend during 2013, and in 2014 growth will accelerate to a level close to the trend. Achieving peak in investment in resource extraction, the high Australian dollar and the ongoing fiscal consolidation will constrain growth in the next year or so, and the low level of interest rates will help support demand, the RBA said. Meanwhile, the report showed that employment growth is expected to be moderate in the short term. It is predicted that the unemployment rate will rise during the next year, when the return to trend growth will improve the situation in the labor market.

The Canadian dollar fell against the U.S. dollar, as the data that was presented today by Statistics Canada showed that up to April, the number of employees has increased, partly recovering from a significant drop in March, but still not enough to justify the experts' forecasts . According to a report last month, the Canadian economy added 12,500 jobs, compared with the average economists' expectations of 13.5 thousand. However, the April figure presents a significant improvement compared with the previous month, when employment fell by a substantial 54,500 people. In addition, it was reported that the unemployment rate remained unchanged in April - at the level of 7.2%, in line with market expectations. The data also showed that since the beginning of this year, the Canadian economy has lost 13,200 workers lost per month on average about 3,300 jobs. Statistical Office also reported that the increase in April was due to the increase in the number of working full-time, which increased by 36,000, which was partially offset by a decline in employment for part-time - 23 600 people. Note that the public sector, which is under pressure to reduce costs to stabilize the deficit and debt, added 34,200 positions, while the private sector lost 20,000 jobs. In addition, it was reported that the annual rate of wage rose by 2.9% in April after rising 2.1% in March.