USD Marginally Firmer In Asia

The greenback has firmed in early trade as weakness in US Equity futures is weighing on risk sentiment early in today's Asian session.

• AUD/USD is pressured, down ~0.1% dealing a touch above the $0.69 handle. Judo Bank PMI's for February were on the wires this morning, all measures increased from previous reads however the Compost and Services PMI remain in contractionary territory pointing to a slow down in growth.
• Kiwi is also softer, last printing at $0.6245/50. The NZ Treasury noted that the rebuild after Cyclone Gabrielle will support economic activity. They also noted that more demand will add to inflationary pressure and it may result in the RBNZ keeping rates higher for longer. Kiwi did firm in the aftermath of the comments however there was little follow through.
• USD/JPY is ~0.1% firmer. Jibun Bank PMIs are on the wires shortly, and BOJs Kuroda is scheduled to appear in parliament at 9.30am Tokyo.
• EUR and GBP are both ~0.1% softer.
• Cross asset flows are showing a risk off tone. E-minis are down ~0.3% and BBDXY is 0.1% firmer. 10-Year US Treasury Yields are up ~4bps.
• The February minutes of the RBA's Feb meeting are on the wires shortly, as are Jibun Bank PMIs from Japan. Further out flash PMI data from Europe and the U.S. will cross as well as U.S. existing home sales data.