DXY holds steady at 96.76 at typing, with....>

DOLLAR: DXY holds steady at 96.76 at typing, with the NFP report expected out of

the U.S. later today. Worth noting that the underwhelming ADP employment change

figure published on Wednesday has worried investors ahead of Friday's release.

- The index threatens to break below its 96.73, where its 200-DMA and 21-DMA

meet today. Should the rate make it below the level, bears would target

96.59-57, which registered lows on Jul 3, Jun 12 and Jun 20. Meanwhile, if the

index takes out the 97.00 mark, bulls will target the 100-DMA, located at 97.10.

- WTI last trades ~$0.60 lower, with gold dealing a touch higher.

- Market activity was limited yesterday as the U.S. observed the Independence

Day holiday. This translated into an inside day for the DXY, which finished

right at the prior close after fluctuating within a ~15 pip range.

- PTI reported that a U.S. trade delegation will head to India next week for

bilateral talks after the U.S. decided to terminate India's preferential trade

status. Elsewhere, familiar geopolitical/trade themes remain in focus, with

U.S.-Iran and U.S.-China tensions still front and centre.