JPY stumbles as equities on the front foot....>

FOREX: JPY stumbles as equities on the front foot

-JPY is the poorest performer in G10 early Europe as a constructive Asia-Pacific

session and European morning for equities sees USD/JPY edge closer towards

yesterday's highs of Y110.

-GBP gained sharply overnight, with GBP/USD topping out at $1.3139 on reports

that Northern Ireland's DUP, as well as some further Tory rebels, could support

Theresa May's revised Brexit withdrawal deal next week. The move was largely

faded in early Europe, however, as it remains to be seen whether the EU will

grant the UK any further concessions on the sticking point of the deal: the

Irish border.

-EUR outperforms after being tossed lower by the ECB board yesterday. EUR/USD

still has a way to go to retrace yesterday's sell-off, however, with the pair

only managing to touch $1.1334 so far Friday.

-With both US durable goods and new home sales data postponed due to the ongoing

government shutdown, the calendar is sparse for the rest of the session, with

focus remaining on the political machinations in Washington D.C.