The Antipodeans had a fairly good start to....>

FOREX: The Antipodeans had a fairly good start to the Asia-Pacific session, as

reported progress in the ongoing Sino-U.S. trade negotiations lent support.

However, kiwi dived to the bottom of the G10 pile, as RBNZ Dep Gov Bascand

suggested that an increase in bank capital requirements (from 14% to 15%) may

eventually result in rate cuts.

- RBA Gov Lowe told lawmakers that it is "unlikely that rates will go up this

year," but a hike next year "may be appropriate," also affirming RBA's shift to

a more neutral stance. Elsewhere, various top tier members of the Australian

ruling coalition were keen to playdown the recent headlines re: exports of coal

to China.

- JPY moved back to nearly unch. levels vs. most of its G10 peers after it

shrugged off domestic CPI figures, which printed at exp. levels.

- Focus today turns to German IFO & GDP, EZ CPI, Canadian retail sales &

Riksbank's Feb meeting mins. ECB's Draghi & Villeroy, Riksbank's Ingves & a

plethora of Fed members (inc. the text of Chair Powell's congressional

testimony) will also garner interest.