Edged to a high of $1.1371 ahead of.....>

EURO-DOLLAR: Edged to a high of $1.1371 ahead of FOMC Minutes release Wednesday,

as the USD was seen under general pressure. However, Minutes were seen less

dovish, even mildly hawkish, than had been expected and led to a quick move back

into the USD. EUR/USD was sold back to $1.1335, recovered to $1.1355 before it

settled back toward $1.1335 into the close. Rate nudged up to $1.1348 in early

Asia, eased to $1.1333 before it rallied to $1.1353 as traders reacted to

headlines that the U.S. & China are drafting multiple trade MOUs (later repeated

by BBG) which was seen supporting risk sentiment. The sharp downturn in AUD,

following a ban by Dalian customs to ban Australian coal imports, weighed on

EUR/USD and pressed it down to retest Wednesday's low of $1.1325. Support has

been reported between $1.1325/15 ahead of $1.1300. Resistance remains at and

above $1.1350 ahead of $1.1370/80. Traders note option expiries for today's NY

cut, $1.1300-05(E1.34bn), $1.1365-70(E1.02bn), $1.1380-90(E1.18bn),

$1.1395-1405(E3.18bn).

- German CPI, flash PMI data from across the region and the ECB Jan meeting

minutes due today. ECB Praet speaks twice today.