***JPY was the best performing major..........>

FOREX: ***JPY was the best performing major currency overnight, while the NZD

underperformed.

- Political unrest either side of the Pacific continued to dampen risk

sentiment, with reports suggesting that HR McMaster had been removed from his

role as US National Security Advisor subsequently denied by the White House.

- The rumours allowed the JPY to strengthen, with USDJPY moving back below

106.00.

- The NZDUSD pair moved below 0.7250, with support seen at 0.7243, the Mar 8

low.

- AUD struggled for any real direction.

- EURUSD hovered either side of 1.2300; in the short term, focus will be on the

EUR 2.62bln worth of 1.2300 option expiries set to roll off at the 10AM NY cut

later on today.

- GBPUSD traded at 1.3930, with next week full of GBP risk events including BoE

MonPol decision, crunch Brexit talks with the EU & the monthly deluge of UK

inflation data, retail sales & the latest labour market report.