Investors cheered U.S. manufacturing data which followed similarly upbeat Chinese and European manufacturing indicators this otherwise depressing week.
PMIs across Europe showed manufacturing activity rebounding from coronavirus-induced lows, boosting market sentiment.
The dollar registered a fourth straight monthly drop setting for the worst August in five years and the longest run of monthly losses since the summer of 2017.
Investors grew cautious on the announcement of the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resignation while the Japanese yen rose after the news.
Markets’ eyes are on Powell speech in which he is expected to take a dovish FED stance on inflation to support a fragile economy.