USD/JPY last trades at Y113.34, a........>

DOLLAR-YEN: USD/JPY last trades at Y113.34, a touch lower on the day, after

dropping 24 pips Friday, as it was lifted to session highs of Y113.67 by strong

U.S. retail sales, but reversed gains thereafter. 

- Major benchmark stock indices registered losses Friday. U.S. equity index

futures are marginally lower at writing, while the Nikkei 225 is also poised to

open lower. 

- Worth noting RTRS sources said that Japan plans to trim its JGBs issuance

during the next financial year in an attempt to curb public borrowing, but

markets showed little reaction to the story thus far. 

- Bears eye the Dec 13/12 lows of Y113.21/14 before challenging the Dec 11

low/50-DMA at Y113.01. Meanwhile, bulls look to Friday's high and a break above

would open up the Dec 3 high at Y113.85. 

- BoJ is set to release its MonPol decision Thursday, while its Rinban ops will

also attract attention. Elsewhere, Japanese trade balance is due Wednesay, while

the inflation report comes out on Friday.