The DXY has moved lower on the back of........>

FOREX: The DXY has moved lower on the back of Cohn's resignation as NEC chair &

headlines suggesting that the US is contemplating invoking certain tariffs on

China. Fed Gov. Brainard sounded a little more upbeat, but this did little for

the USD, while Fed's Kaplan reiterated his base case of 3 hikes in 2018.

- The JPY was the major beneficiary as USDJPY ran to 105.50 (were notable option

expiry interest lies), with CHF also benefitting from safe haven flows.

- Tariff sensitive currencies such as the CAD & MXN took a hit on Cohn's

resignation, as he is viewed as a globalist.

- The Aussie has fallen afoul of the risk off mood, The currency shook of the

softer than expected GDP release, after RBA Gov. Lowe had suggested that the Q4

GDP release may be softer than the RBA exp. owing to exports. Lowe offered no

fresh comments on the outlook for MonPol.

- The NZD has outperformed its Antipodean cousin thus far, but NZDUSD ran out of

steam around 0.7300. In the short term the NZ$760mln worth of 0.7300 NZDUSD

option expiries at Wednesday's 10AM NY cut will provide a focal point.

- GBP & EUR posted modest gains vs. USD.