USD pared recent gains through..........>

EURO-DOLLAR: USD pared recent gains through Thursday's US session, with EUR/USD

able to edge up to $1.1028, from an earlier extended low of $1.0989, closing the

day around $1.1021. Recent risk aversion, based on no fresh news concerning

Sino-US trade negotiations, saw some relief as White House Econ adviser Larry

Kudlow commented that US-China talks were coming down to short-strokes,

confirming that phase one deal is close but not done yet. EUR/USD managed to

lift on to $1.1030 before the recovery in USD/JPY weighed back on USD demand and

rate eased back to $1.1021 into Europe. Rate seen enjoying some buoyancy,

Thursday's move below $1.0990 failed to trigger suggested stronger sales.

Traders aware that the $1.1000 level holds the strike of expiring options for

today's NY cut, E1.23bln of EUR puts set to roll off which may help to keep rate

buoyed. 

- Support $1.1000, $1.0989, $1.0975/70, $1.0950. Resistance $1.1030, $1.1038/41,

$1.1050.

- ECB Mersch, Jochnick and Fernandez-Bollo on the slate ahead of EZ final CPI,

Trade at 1000GMT. US Retail sales seen key on day.