A very quiet overnight session saw early.....>

DOLLAR: A very quiet overnight session saw early risk faded ahead of the

European crossover. Sterling sits top of the pile on extended react to the

passing of the "Cooper bill", while CAD eases in tandem with oil prices.

- The DXY formed a base ahead of the 97 level, held to a narrow 97.01-09 range.

Downside focus remains on a close above here, opening the 50% retracement of

95.74-97.51 & 100-dma at 96.63/57.

- Gold improved $3 on the session to $1293.14. Bulls target a break of

$1294.60/68 which represents the 23.6% retracement of $1324.63-1285.23 & Apr 3

high, above here opens a run at the $1300 level, ahead of the 50-dma at

$1306.17.

- The major crude benchmarks have stuck to tight ranges in Asia-Pacific trade,

with WTI & Brent hovering around unchanged levels, after $70 capped Brent's

gains on Wednesday.

- Jobless Claims the main highlight today at 1230GMT. The level is expected to

rise by 4,000 to 215,000 in the April 5 week after a decrease of 5,000 in the

previous week.