It has been a very subdued start to the.......>

FOREX: It has been a very subdued start to the session, with major crosses

operating within narrow ranges. CHF is the weakest G10 currency, while SEK is

outperforms at the margin, although no new headlines seem to be driving these

moves. KRW is slightly softer, the worst performer in Asia; worth noting that

North Korea condemned increased U.S. military activity around the Korean

peninsula, arguing that it impedes dialogue.

- Little reaction was noted to preliminary CBA PMI readings for Australia, even

as the services & composite gauges moved into contractionary territory, while

the m'fing sector expanded at a slower pace.

- Japanese Trade Min Motegu said that his negotiations with U.S. TR Lighthizer

were "pretty tough" but good, with both sides agreeing to speed up progress.

- Flash PMIs from across the globe, Swedish unemployment, EZ consumer confidence

and Norwegian oil & gas investment survey take focus from here. Fed's Kashkari

will speak, with comments from Riksbank's Ingves also awaited. The ECB will

publish its latest MonPol meeting minutes.