The USD once again remained on the.......>

DOLLAR-YEN: The USD once again remained on the defensive in holiday themed Asia

markets. As BOJ Governor Kuroda's second term was confirmed with doves Amamiya

and Wakatabe appointed as his deputies, Usd/Jpy continued its downward trend

with a move through Y106.00 to extended lows of Y105.55. Demand is reported on

approach to Y105.50, opening Y105.35/30 (Oct27 2016 high, 76.4% Y101.20-118.60).

- On the US calendar today US Import/Export Price Index figures, Housing Starts

and the NY Fed Business Leaders Survey are all released at 1330GMT. The

seasonally adjusted pace of housing starts is expected to rebound to a 1.225

million annual rate in January after slipping back in December. The NAHB index

fell modestly in January.

- At 1500GMT the preliminary University of Michigan Sentiment Index is on the

schedule. The Michigan Sentiment index is expected to slide to 95.0 in

early-February after holding roughly steady at 95.7 in January, but the recent

plunge in the stock market provides some downside risk.

- Option-expiries: Y107.00($1.06bn), Y108.50($436mn), Y108.60($725mn),

Y108.90($475mn), Y109.00($593mn).