We regret to inform you that due to technical difficulties there will be no video update this morning. We will endeavor to have the problem rectified by Monday  You can also follow us live on Twitter at http://twitter.com/World_First

A subdued session from equity and commodity markets saw the dollar generally stronger, while risky assets paused for breath after an eventful early week. The S&P500 lead the equity markets retreat, falling from 13 month highs posted on Wednesday, gold pulled back from its record high price of over $1,120 an ounce, and oil faltered  at the $80 mark.

This combined to give the greenback some strength to press the euro back from the 1.50 levels it has been hovering around recently, taking the cross a percent lower into the 1.48’s. Sterling range traded with the dollar in the 1.65-6’s, while it managed to out-muscle the euro, heading back well into the 1.11’s.

Australian employment figures that showed an unexpected rise which boosted AUD to highs against the USD not seen since August 2008. The land down under produced  almost 25,000 extra jobs for the month of October, increasing sentiment that the RBA will add an extra 25 points at the upcoming rate meeting. While AUD/USD posted a new top, it was quickly reigned in from the souring equity market tone.

Today’s GDP figures from the Euro Zone and Germany are due at 10am, and will be the main event of Friday, while we also have US September trade balance and University of Michigan consumer confidence.

Click on the screenshot below to view my video update