S&P/ASX 200 closed in the red yesterday, down 38.3 points or 0.78% to 4,888.31 on the back of lower than expected Chinese manufacturing data

S&P/ASX 200 closed in the red yesterday, down 38.3 points or 0.78% to 4,888.31 on the back of lower than expected Chinese manufacturing data. SPI futures are also down 2 points. The Australian dollar rose more than one US cent to trade at US97.57c, after the release of disappointing US manufacturing figures on Wall Street. The key event for the Australian currency and markets today will be the RBA monthly interest rate decision which should see the Australian dollar push above 98 US cents if the cash rate is left on hold at 2.75%. (VIEW LINK)