Strong US data and earnings boosted the......>

DOLLAR: Strong US data and earnings boosted the dollar yesterday, the DXY

rallied to 97.88, before light profit take sales eased ahead of the NY close.

Consolidation largely remained the theme overnight, before risk took a hit on

Chinese state media reports that Beijing may not be interested in resuming trade

talks with the U.S. DXY last at 97.81 with topside focus on a break of the 98

level, above here brings the double-top resistance area back into view at

98.30/35.

- Gold extended its sharp retracement off Tuesday's high ($1303.41) through

$1285 yesterday, before basing. The yellow metal currently holds toward the

higher end of its tight $3 overnight range, last $1287.80. Bears target a

downside break of the 21-dma & May 13 low at $1282.62/02. While bulls need a

close above the 50-dma at $1291.49 to stabilise the outlook.

- WTI & Brent hold toward the base of their narrow 40 pip ranges.

- Michigan Sentiment data the main US release today at 1400GMT. The index is

expected to rise to a reading of 97.7 in early-May from 97.2 in April. Speeches

also scheduled from Fed's Williams & Clarida.