Central Bank Speak Weighs On Antipodean FX

Antipodean currencies have been weighed on by comments from domestic policymakers and underperform their G10 peers. First, RBNZ Gov Orr clipped the kiwi's wings by pointing to ample policy space and expressing preference for too high inflation rather than deflation, while flagging potential for macroprudential measures "if banks get carried away". Then, RBA Asst Gov Kent signalled that BBSW could plunge below 0%, undermining AUD. Central bankers have sent AUD/NZD for a round trip, with Kent helping push AUD/USD through support from Oct 15 low.

• USD/KRW re-opened on a slightly softer footing, printing a fresh cycle low and narrowing in on the KRW1,140.00 mark, even as the WSJ reported that Intel is nearing a ~$10bn deal to sell its memory-chip unit to South Korea's SK Hynix.
• For JPY watchers, worth reminding that it is a Gotobi day today.
• China's LPR fixing, U.S. housing starts & building permits, German PPI, RBA minutes and comments from Fed's Quarles, Evans, Brainard & Bostic, ECB's de Cos, BoE's Vlieghe and Riksbank's Ingves & Ohlsson take focus from here.