G10 crosses have stuck to particularly........>

FOREX: G10 crosses have stuck to particularly tight ranges thus far in the

subdued first half of today's Asia-Pac session, as investors weigh U.S.

President Trump's declaration that it's him "right now that's holding up the

deal," adding that the agreement will not be completed before China returns to

the terms it previously negotiated with the U.S.

- JPY briefly took the lead among the G10, albeit by narrow margins, after the

Nikkei 225 started on the back foot, but this waned as the index moved towards

neutral levels. AUD & NZD have lagged their G10 peers post-Tokyo equity open.

- Japanese machinery orders rose by 5.2% M/M, significantly overshooting

expectations and at the fastest pace since Oct 2018.

- RBA Asst Gov Kent did not discuss MonPol or Australian economic outlook in

today's speech, but said he sees further scope to deepen financial links with

China. U.S. President Trump speaks in Iowa at typing.

- Inflation data out of China and the U.S., as well as the monthly U.S. Tsy

budget take focus today. ECB's Draghi, de Guindos, Coeure and Muller, as well as

RBA's Ellis, Riksbank's Floden and IMF's Lagarde are set to speak.