Asian markets down despite FOMC, European futures up ahead of ECB

FXstreet.com (Barcelona) - Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average (-0.76%), Mainland China’s Shanghai Composite (-0.48%), Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (-0.28%) and South Korea’s Kospi (-0.34%) edged lower on the first day Asian bourses were fully up and running in May, that despite yesterday’s FOMC meeting in which policymakers left the door open for more asset purchases overnight. The HSBC manufacturing PMI was moved lower, from 51.6 to 50.4 in April, instead of 50.6 as expected.

Futures for the German DAX 30 (-0.23%) and the French CAC 40 (-0.23%) are signaling a lower opening ahead of Markit manufacturing PMI data on the European session. More importantly, investors are pricing in expectations ahead of the ECB interest rate decision due at 11:45 GMT. Draghi’s press conference is scheduled at 12:30 GMT.