***FOREX: The DXY begins the final............>

FOREX: ***FOREX: The DXY begins the final Asia-Pacific session of February above

90.00, after Fed Chair Powell's upbeat rhetoric surrounding the economy allowed

the USD to move higher in NY hours.

- Models point towards month-end USD buying with Barclays noting that "the

passive FX rebalancing model at month-end points to USD buying against major

peers. The signal is strong against the JPY, moderate against CAD, AUD and GBP,

and weak versus the EUR."

- Citi stated that "the month-end FX hedge rebalancing est. points to stronger

than average USD buying."

- RBC's month end model has gone long USD vs. GBP, CAD, AUD & NOK as of the NY

close.

- Technicals suggest that the 91.011-92.640 resistance region is now key for the

DXY. Bulls need a close above 92.640 to shift focus to 94.076-95.149. Support

layers are building which adds to bullish confidence. Bears now need a close

below 98.080 to gain breathing room.