In the G10 currency landscape, the US dollar shows marginal fluctuations. Notably, the Canadian and Australian dollars lead the gainers. Many freely traded emerging market currencies exhibit a softer performance today, with the Chinese yuan among them.
Apart from Tokyo and Hong Kong, the majority of major stock exchanges in the Asia Pacific region witnessed gains. Europe's Stoxx 600 experiences a slight dip of just over 0.5%, potentially marking the first consecutive losses in three weeks if sustained. US index futures are marginally down.
Gold is consolidating just below yesterday's six-month peak, hovering around $2018.20. While it has maintained a position above $2012, there is a susceptibility to increased selling pressure in North America today.
January WTI has stabilized after a four-session decline.

Asia Pacific
Australia reports a notable decline in retail sales with a 0.2% drop in October following a robust 0.9% increase in September. The RBA is anticipated to maintain its stance after a recent hike on December 5.

The Australian dollar, having spent minimal time below $0.6590 in the previous North American session, settles above $0.6600 for the first time since August 1.
Softening US rates pushed the dollar to session lows near JPY148.65 yesterday. In Asia today, it briefly falls below JPY148 before recovering to almost JPY148.85.

Europe
Germany releases results from four surveys this month, indicating improved expectations in the ZEW survey but a persistently grim current assessment. The flash PMI surpasses expectations, yet all three readings remain below the 50 boom/bust level. The IFO survey records an improvement from October but falls short of expectations. Despite this, the overall business climate assessment edges higher for the third consecutive month. The December GfK consumer confidence survey shows a slight improvement to -27.8.

The euro maintains a range between ~$1.0850-$1.0965 established last Tuesday/Wednesday, displaying higher lows and higher highs within that span.
In contrast, the pound continues its ascent, reaching almost $1.2645 yesterday, its highest point since September 1.

America
Upcoming releases include the Conference Board's consumer confidence measure and the November surveys from the Richmond and Dallas Fed. Fed Governor Waller and Chicago Fed President Goolsbee, representing the hawkish and dovish spectrums respectively, are scheduled to speak today.

The US dollar, which traded within a narrow range on both sides of CAD1.3640 yesterday, has dipped to CAD1.3575 today, marking its lowest level since mid-October.