The improved risk appetite seen through.......>

FOREX: The improved risk appetite seen through Asia was maintained in early

Europe on Thursday, before gaining an added lift as Turkish central bank raised

interest rates more than exp. to 24%, easing pressure on EMFX. The BoE kept

rates/QE unch. as exp., with growth projections broadly on track though with the

caveats of Brexit risk & U.S./China trade spat. The ECB left rates unch., also

as exp., as markets awaited U.S. CPI & ECB Pres. Draghi's press conference.

- Release of softer than forecast U.S. inflation data weakened the USD, and with

Draghi sounding less dovish, saw EUR/USD extend gains, eventually making a show

to $1.1701. Cable tracked EUR/USD before gaining its own lift as it spiked above

$1.3100 to $1.3124 as BBG reported that "the U.K. has pledged to provide

information on goods flow across the Irish Sea that could help solve a stand-off

over the Irish border.

- EUR/JPY pushed higher on risk appetite, lifting USD/JPY to Y112.00.

- China indy prod. & retail sales provide early interest Friday, followed by EU

trade data & US retail sales. ECB's Nowotny, BoE's Carney & Fed Evans are due to

speak throughout the day.