Asian markets rise; Dollar edges down against Pound and Yen

 Asian markets have risen on Thursday buoyed by Japanese production and U.S. consumer spending. The Dollar has reversed gains posted after FOMC statement against Pound and Yen, Euro remains in range.

The MSCI Asian Pacific has climbed 3.3% to end the month of April with a 12% increase, the best performance since 1998. Tokyo Nikkei Index rose 3.9% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 2.3%.

Japanese industrial production has posted a 1.8% increase in march, after a 9.4% decline in February, while U.S Gross Domestic Purchases Price Index rose 2.9% in the 1Q, following a 0.5% increase in the previous quarter. 

Pound and Yen slightly higher

GBP/USD has risen during Asian session to a maximum level at 1..4855, from 1.4750 level reached after the FOMC statement. At the moment, the Pound trades at 1.4840, 0.57% above its opening price.

USD/JPY has dropped to 97.15 low on Asian session, reversing most of the ground taken after the FOMC statement, which fuelled the Dollar to 98.00. At the moment the USD/JPY moves at 97.35; 0.30% below its opening price.

EUR/USD has been moving up and down around the 1.3300 level, after having declined to 1.3250 after the FOMC; At the moment, the Euro trades at 1.3305; 0.40% above its opening level.