DXY Higher After Powell Provides No Surprises

Below gives key levels of markets in the second half of the Asia-Pac session:

• Nikkei 225 down 404.73 points at 28228.88
• ASX 200 down 130.866 points at 6649.7
• Shanghai Comp. down 53.061 points at 3520.28
• JGB 10-Yr future down 3 ticks at 151.91, yield down 0.9bp at 0.040%
• Aussie 10-Yr future up 1.0 ticks at 98.910, yield down 0.6bp at 1.087%
• U.S. 10-Yr future unch. at 137-17, yield down 0.85bp at 1.008%
• WTI crude down $0.32 at $52.53, Gold down $5.92 at $1838.08
• USD/JPY up 17 pips at Y104.28
• POWELL PLEDGES PATIENCE ON QE AND INFLATION (MNI)
• BLINKEN VOWS TO CONFRONT, COOPERATE WITH CHINA IN FIRST REMARKS AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT (THE HILL)
• ECB'S CENTENO: CRISIS CAN'T BE ALLOWED TO BECOME A FINANCIAL CRISIS (BBG)
• EU FAILED TO SWAY ASTRAZENECA TO TAP UK SUPPLY FOR VACCINES (BBG)
• STUDIES SHOW PFIZER VACCINE EFFECTIVE AGAINST COVID VARIANTS (BBG)
• PBOC IS EXPECTED TO OFFER LIQUIDITY BOFORE CNY HOLIDAY (CSJ)