A series of regional data releases has........>

FOREX: A series of regional data releases has failed to provide any real impetus

for the G10 FX space thus far and major crosses have stuck to relatively tight

ranges. Kiwi has marginally outperformed, buoyed by a strong building permits

print, which hit during the NY/Asia crossover.

- JPY has landed at the bottom of the G10 pile, as it came under some pressure

around the Tokyo fix, while the Nikkei 225 has moved ~0.9% higher. The yen has

largely shrugged off domestic data releases, although Japanese capex & Tokyo

core CPI topped exp., while the Nikkei m'fing PMI edged higher when compared to

the flash reading, but still remained in contractionary territory.

- Fed Chair Powell spoke, reiterating that the FOMC will be patient re: MonPol

and noted that upward inflation pressure is muted despite strong U.S. job mkt's

performance.

- Chinese Caixin m'fing PMI comes out at 0145GMT. Elsewhere, focus today turns

to global m'fing PMI data, EZ, Norwegian & German unemployment, as well as

Canadian GDP. Central bank rhetoric will be provided by Fed's Bostic.