The first half of today's Asia-Pacific........>

FOREX: The first half of today's Asia-Pacific session saw price action remain

contained across the G10 FX space. NZD has outperformed at the margin, although

the latest NZ trade balance data, released in the NY/Asia crossover, indicated a

wider than exp. trade deficit of NZ$914mn vs. the prev. surplus of NZ$12mn.

- AUD crosses have dropped a handful of pips after the release of soft Aussie

construction work figures. The Aussie sits at the bottom of the G10 pile as a

result.

- Worth mentioning BoJ Gov Kuroda has been summoned to the Diet by Japanese

opposition lawmakers. Kuroda will speak around 1300-1400JST.

- Focus today turns to Canadian CPI, U.S. factory orders, Swedish economic

tendency survey and Norwegian unemployment. The central bank speakers' slate

features ECB's Coeure & ECB's Weidmann, while Fed Chair Powell will continue

with his semi-annual address to the Congress.