The USD largely consolidated.............>

DOLLAR-YEN: The USD largely consolidated Wednesday's gains with trade held to a

narrow Y109.25-47 range. Fitch affirmed Japan's A rating outlook stable while PM

Abe stated that he wasn't considering a snap election. It's also worth noting

that Credit Agricole's month-end FX portfolio-rebalancing model suggests

moderate USD buying vs EUR, mild USD buying vs GBP, while neutral signals are

seen in other USD pairs. Whilst in the crosses, Eur/Jpy once again failed to

make a convincing close in NY above the 100-dma, last Y133.14. In the US Durable

Goods and Weekly Jobless Claims are released at 1230GMT. Durable Goods are

expected to rise by 1.2% in March after a 3.0% gain in February. The level of

Jobless Claims is expected to rise by 1,000 to 233,000 in the April 21, gaining

back the decline from the previous week. Y107.95-108.00($580mn),

Y108.10($300mn).