DXY last sits at 97.81, a mere 2 pips........>

DOLLAR: DXY last sits at 97.81, a mere 2 pips worse off. WTI and gold are

virtually unchanged on the day.

- The dollar index fluctuated through yesterday's Asia-Pac session, peaking at

97.70, before ebbing off of best levels into the European morning. The index

tested 97.70 once more before finally breaching the level on the back of solid

factory orders & durable goods figures. Reports from China's Global Times

suggesting US-China trade talks had reached an "impasse" helped to uphold the

upside momentum and allowed DXY to finish 15 pips higher on the day.

- A lift through 98.00 would bring into play the YTD high of 98.33, touched on

Apr 26. Conversely, bears look for a pullback towards the 21-DMA at 97.45.

- Worth mentioning that President Trump's pick Stephen Moore has pulled out of

the race for a seat at the Fed's Board of Governors.

- U.S. focus today turns to the NFP report, ISM non-m'fing & services PMI. The

Fed emerges from its media blackout period with Evans, Clarida, Williams and

Bowman due to make addresses.