Equity sell-off lent support to the yen.......>

FOREX: Equity sell-off lent support to the yen after the Tokyo fix, as a rather

poor showing from Chinese stocks was coupled with the Nikkei 225's retreat into

negative territory. USD/JPY managed to touch a new cycle low as a result,

despite edging higher in early trade. USD and CHF also benefited, but to a

lesser degree.

- Softer equities put a bid into safe haven FX, but failed to sap strength from

the kiwi, which remained the best G10 performer, buoyed by strong trade figures

out of New Zealand. Kiwi crosses accelerated after breaching key technical

levels, with AUD/NZD falling through its 100-DMA and NZD/USD breaking above the

upper 1.0% 10-DMA envelope.

- Weaker Chinese equities dented crude oil prices, applying weight to

commodity-tied FX, dragging CAD, NOK and AUD to the bottom of the G10 pile.

- U.S. conf. board consumer confidence and new home sales take focus today. Also

of note are speeches from RBA's Bullock, ECB's de Guindos & Coeure, as well as

Fed's Powell, Williams, Bostic, Barkin and Bullard.