ForexLive Asia-Pacific FX news wrap: Awaiting US jobs and Services PMI data

Seethe points above for what to watch in the nonfarm payroll and ISMservices PMI data due from the US Friday morning, specifically on therange of estimates and why these are important to be aware of.

AsiaFX traded in small ranges with a little net strength for the the USdollar overall. EUR, yen, GBP, AUD, NZD, CAD and gold are all alittle lower against the big dollar.

Uspolitics media reported on the Biden administration overseeing thedrafting of plans to hit back at Iran-backed Houthi militants whohave been attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The prospectof an intensifying war in the Middle East supported the dollar andoil.

Bitcoincame under pressure as speculation on the imminent approval of spotETFs gathered pace. The rumours have been doing the rounds for monthsnow and crypto markets are looking like a ‘sell the fact’response is on the cards.

Locally,China\'sgovernment bondsrallied further, with the yield on the 10-yearbenchmark fallingfurther towards 2.5%, to its lowest in more than three years. Theincreased demand for government bonds alongsidelowermarket interest rates ispointing towards pressure for further policy accommodation from thePeople’s Bank of China. The offshore yuan. CNH, touched above 7.1800 during the session, its weakest since December 13.

Infurther regional news, North Korea fired more than 200 coastalartillery shells towards the South Korean border island Yeonpyeong,prompting South Korea’s military to issue an evacuation order forcivilians on the island. South Korea confirmed, though, that the shellsfell short of the island, landing north of the hotly disputedNorthern Limit Line (NLL), the maritime border line with North Korea. South Korea says it will respond with live fire drills.

South Korea\'s KOSPI index: