Even as JPY crosses have ticked away.....>

DOLLAR-YEN: Even as JPY crosses have ticked away from best levels, the yen

underperforms its G10 peers at the margin, as early Asia-Pacific trade sees risk

appetite buoyant, due to the release of strong off'l Chinese PMI data over the

weekend, continued optimism re: Sino-U.S. trade talks, and the fact that

regional equity futures are in the green after European & U.S. stocks registered

gains on Friday. USD/JPY last deals at Y110.95, 10 pips higher on the day.

- The pair added 23 pips Friday, as solid risk sentiment pressured JPY to the

bottom of the G10 currency board.

- A clean break above the Y111.00 mark and the 100-DMA at Y111.05 would suggest

the resumption of the broader rally, shifting bullish focus to the 21-DMA at

Y111.14. Meanwhile, after the rate has bottomed a pip below the 100-WMA at

Y110.81, a fall through these levels would open up the Y110.69-Y110.71 zone,

which acted as a technical resistance on Mar 26 & 27.

- Japanese Tankan survey comes out at 0050BST/0850JST, ahead of final Nikkei

m'fing PMI, due later today. Elsewhere, the usual Rinban ops, due Wednesday,

will also be of interest.