Those hoping for a break of the all-time......>

FOREX: Those hoping for a break of the all-time high in USD/CNH, revisited by

the pair during its yesterday's surge, may be somewhat disappointed. USD/CNH &

USD/CNY firmed up a tad, but the redback was relatively stable as participants

awaited fresh signals on Sino-U.S. tensions, but to little or no avail. The PBoC

continued to set its central USD/CNY mid-point below expectations, yet today's

fixing was nonetheless followed by a knee-jerk higher in USD/CNH.

- Early tentative recovery in risk appetite was fragile and AUD replaced JPY as

the worst G10 performer. Its commodity-tied peers followed in its footsteps.

- USD/Asia traded on a stronger footing as regional FX reacted to yesterday's

moves inspired by flaring U.S.-China tensions. KRW brought up the rear after an

expected decision from the BoK to cut its policy rate by 25bp to 0.50%. BoK Gov

Lee commented that the main interest rate is near its effective lower bound and

the central bank may resort to unconventional tools if more stimulus is needed.

- U.S. GDP (s) & durable goods orders, flash German CPI (p), EZ sentiment gauges

& Swedish retail sales take focus from here, with Fed's Williams & Harker, ECB's

Villeroy & BoE's Saunders due to speak.