Optimistic trade comments from U.S. Pres......>

FOREX: Optimistic trade comments from U.S. Pres Trump & Commerce Sec Ross, which

hit the wires over the weekend, have supported risk appetite from the off. The

Antipodeans have topped the G10 pile as a result, with NZD leading gains at

typing. Modest selling pressure in GBP & NOK has been evident.

- Worth mentioning that AUD crosses ticked lower in reaction to a miss in local

retail sales, but have broadly recovered since.

- The Antipodeans have drawn further support from a stronger yuan, which

appreciated after an in-line (but stronger than Friday's) PBoC fix. USD/CNH

staged an attack on its 100-DMA but failed to breach the level and operates just

above at typing.

- Reminder: Japan is off for a public holiday today.

- Points of note in the data docket today are U.S. durable goods and factory

orders, as well as slew of European m'fing PMIs (BBG has already shown some

numbers in their calendar but treat with caution). Christine Lagarde will make

the first appearance in her capacity as the ECB chief; her colleague de Cos, as

well as Norges Bank's Olsen and Fed's Daly will also speak.