USD Retains Strength, Tops G10 Pile

The greenback continued to garner strength in Asia hours, as it outperformed all of its G10 peers. DXY approached Wednesday's highs, supported by EUR/USD sales, as the Eurozone's shared currency was among the worst performers in the G10 basket. NOK and AUD also struggled for impetus, with the latter offered into the release of Australian below-forecast trade data. JPY was bid, with domestic focus falling on comments from contenders to replace PM Abe at the helm of Japan's government (nothing much of note there).

• That being said, USD traded mixed against Asian EM FX, despite receiving an early boost as regional currencies played catch up with yesterday's moves at the re-open of onshore markets. The likes of CNH, PHP or MYR managed to eke out some modest gains vs. the greenback. Meanwhile, IDR helped bring up the rear, amid continued angst surrounding the independence of Bank Indonesia. USD/IDR established itself above its 100-DMA.
• Focus moves to global Services/Composite PMIs, U.S. trade data & initial jobless claims, EZ retail sales, as well as speeches from Fed's Evans, ECB's Schnabel, BoE's Bailey & Ramsden and Riksbank's Skingsley & Ingves.