DXY last sits at 96.83, 5 pips worse off,....>

DOLLAR: DXY last sits at 96.83, 5 pips worse off, after finishing barely changed

yesterday, as strong U.S. ADP employment data and a wider than exp. U.S. trade

deficit pulled the dollar index in opposite directions.

- WTI & gold both trade virtually unchanged at writing.

- Worth mentioning yesterday Fed's Williams said that the central bank can

afford to be patient and flexible, amidst various uncertainties surrounding the

outlook for the U.S. economy.

- Bulls need to retake 96.99, where the dollar index peaked yesterday, before

targeting the Feb 19 high of 97.09. Conversely, bears look for a break below the

21-DMA at 96.64, followed by 96.51, which represents the 100-DMA.

- U.S. focus today turns to initial jobless claims, as well as remarks from

Fed's Brainard.