Continued optimism re: Sino-U.S. trade.........>

KIWI: Continued optimism re: Sino-U.S. trade talks, combined with strong PMI

data coming from China, put a bid into NZD overnight. Elsewhere, kiwi was

modestly supported by NZ PM Ardern's visit to Beijing, where she met with

Chinese Premier Li. Both parties signed off on several memorandums of

understanding, ahead of Ardern's meeting with Chinese President Xi later today.

- Worth noting NZ Tsy published its Monthly Economic Indicators, noting that

businesses exp. growth to be flat amidst softening cons. sentiment, rising

costs, and tax uncertainty.

- NZD/USD last trades at $0.6833, 30 pips better off.

- With the rate locked in the $0.6831-$0.6835 area, which is flanked by the

50-DMA and 21-DMA, bulls look for a clean break above, before challenging

$0.6840, which acted as a technical support several times through this year.

Meanwhile, bears look for a return below the 100-DMA at $0.6814.

- NZ focus this week turns to NZ QV house price index, as well as Chinese Caixin

services & composite PMIs due Weds. Any fallout from Sino-U.S. trade talks will

also provide interest.