Greenback on a firmer footing after Fed.......>

FOREX: Greenback on a firmer footing after Fed communication puzzle

-The dollar's rollercoaster ride late yesterday settled further Friday morning,

with the greenback regaining more lost ground after dropping sharply after the

'academic' speech from Fed's Williams. This has helped nudge USD/JPY back above

Y107.50, with higher European equity markets also helping support.

-Elsewhere, the EUR trades slightly softer ahead of the NY crossover as markets

eye reports that Italy's Salvini is yet to decide on a snap election, although

most of his advisers want him to force an election. EUR/USD sank back below

$1.1250 on the news.

-After surging on the central bank rate decision yesterday, ZAR has turned lower

again as the South African ombudsman found the country's President in violation

of the constitution, raising the risk he will have a trickier time pushing

through much-needed economic reforms.

-Ahead of the Fed blackout period beginning at the end of today, Fed's Bullard

and Fed's Rosengren are due to speak, with BoJ's Kuroda also due. Canadian

retail sales and Uni. of Michigan survey are the data highlights.