Single currency fares best as markets gear....>

FOREX: Single currency fares best as markets gear for long weekend

-EUR was the best performing currency in G10 Wednesday, rising against all

others as positive European equities outstripped negative markets in the US.

EUR/USD gained to equal the best levels since Apr12, which hasn't been topped

since late March. Comments from ECB's Nowotny also helped sway sentiment

positively for the EUR, stating that he sees the Eurozone economy stabilising in

H2 this year - running counter to particularly negative source reports earlier

in the week. Nonetheless much of the EUR upside faded ahead of the close,

leaving most major pairs sitting inside recent ranges.

-BRL was one of the poorest performers globally, touching the lowest level since

late March against the USD as Brazil's market-positive pension reform vote was

delayed, with many lower house lawmakers seeking changes to the landmark bill

itself.

-Eurozone prelim April PMIs take focus Thursday alongside UK and US retail sales

and a speech from Fed's Bostic. US markets close early for the extended Easter

weekend.