GBP has jumped to the top of the G10 pile.....>

FOREX: GBP has jumped to the top of the G10 pile on the back of a report by the

Sun which stated that "the DUP have privately decided to back Theresa May's

Brexit deal next week when she toughens it up, in a major breakthrough for

No10." Worth highlighting that the report states "the DUP are now willing to

accept a backstop as long as it's specifically time limited" - an idea that EU

chief Brexit negotiator Barnier has consistently rejected. 

- The Antipodeans are relatively weak, seemingly coming under pressure from

revived worries re: Sino-U.S. trade relations. Yesterday U.S. Commerce Sec Ross

said Washington & Beijing are far from reaching a deal, but attempted to walk

these comments back later on in the day. 

- JPY trades mixed, as the Nikkei 225 edges higher. No reaction was noted upon

the release of stronger than exp. Tokyo CPI. The core number accelerated to 1.1%

in January, still well shy the of the BoJ's 2.0% target. 

- The economic docket today is rather limited, and is headlined by the German

IFO survey, in addition to BoJ Gov. Kuroda speaking on a panel from Davos.