The pound took centre stage during the........>

FOREX: The pound took centre stage during the Asia-Pacific session, improved

sentiment toward Brexit was the theme, sparked by an article in the UK Times

that claimed Britain is close to an Irish border deal and that the EU is

preparing to offer a 2-year Brexit transition deal as early as January. Cable

soared from around $1.3410 to a fresh 2-month high of $1.3480, before it pared

light gains. Sterling retained an underlying buoyant tone throughout Europe,

early slippage to $1.3448 was soon countered to hold either side of $1.3470.

Eur/Gbp moved through stg0.8800 to print lows of stg0.8776. The strong dollar

theme continued into Europe, supported by yen crosses and firmer UST yields,

Usd/Jpy held near the peak of its Y112.11-48 range. Eur/Jpy squeezed with the

dollar to Y133.31 but soon gave back gains to briefly trade under Y133.00.

Eur/Usd initially consolidated $1.1861-76, before the broad based dollar theme

started to pressure. Rate touched extended pullback lows of $1.1825 with decent

support seen placed ahead of $1.1800. Traders look ahead to this afternoon's

1600GMT fix for direction, most bank models have suggested Usd sales for

month-end.