The focal point of today's Asia-Pacific.......>

FOREX: The focal point of today's Asia-Pacific session was provided by

fluctuations in risk appetite, driven by developments in Sino-U.S. trade

relations. Warm rhetoric from U.S. President Trump (initially echoed in the

Chinese press), who announced the postponement of the next round of Chinese

tariffs as he prepares to meet with Chinese President Xi, put a bid into AUD,

NZD & CNH. However, risk sentiment pulled back to a degree, as Xinhua published

a commentary piece, stating that the "trade talks will be harder at the final

stage," knocking AUD, NZD & CNH off their best levels vs. USD.

- NZD drew additional support from the release of domestic retail sales, which

printed at +1.7% Q/Q vs. exp. of +0.5%, and finished atop the G10 pile.

- The aforementioned moderation in risk sentiment allowed the initially

underperforming JPY to recover a touch, while CAD was pressed to the bottom of

the G10 currency board.

- Focus on this data-light Monday turns to remarks from Fed's Clarida & Kaplan,

as well as Riksbank's Ingves, while BoE Gov Carney is set to speak alongside

FCA's Bailey