The BoJ's MonPol decision headlined the.......>

FOREX: The BoJ's MonPol decision headlined the Asia-Pac docket and although the

board decided to leave its MonPol settings unchanged, the Bank trimmed its CPI

outlook for FY19 to 0.9% from 1.4% & cut its FY18 growth outlook (although it

upgraded its FY19 & 20 GDP exp.), which added pressure on JPY, already

underperforming its G10 peers amid modest risk-on flows, as the Nikkei 225 &

U.S. equity futures moved into positive territory. 

- NZD led gains overnight, supported by broader risk sentiment & a strong CPI

print in the NY/Asia crossover, although the figure missed the RBNZ exp. of 2%.

Kiwi came off of best levels after the RBNZ sectorial inflation model printed at

1.7% Y/Y in Q4, steady vs. Q3. AUD lagged behind kiwi initially, but grew in

strength & reduced the gap later into the session, although AUD/NZD failed to

reclaim the 21-DMA at NZ$1.0554. 

- CAD was rather strong although WTI traded flat & tensions in Sino-Canadian

relations re: the forthcoming extradition of Huawei CFO to the U.S. persist.

- Focus today turns to Canadian retail sales & EZ cons. conf., while BoE's

Broadbent is due to speak.