The dollar has shrugged off comments from.....>

FOREX: The dollar has shrugged off comments from Fed Governor Brainard who noted

that gradual US rate hikes are likely appropriate, as her comments suggested

that she holds greater confidence that inflation will rise to the 2% target. Do

note that Brainard is on the dovish end of the scale.

- JPY is still the outperformer on the session thus far, following the Cohn/US

tariff on China headlines, with GBP & EUR also higher vs. the greenback.

- The NZD trades virtually unchanged against the USD while the AUD is lower

ahead of today's GDP data. Earlier comments from RBA Gov Lowe offered little

fresh on the MonPol front as he noted that the next move in rates will likely be

up & reiterated the strapline on growth from yesterday's statement & the RBA's

well known view on the AUD. Lowe did suggest that today's Q4 GDP release may be

softer than the RBA exp. owing to exports.

- The MXN & CAD have also taken a hit on the back of the US /China tariff

rumblings.