Yuan strengthened overnight, aided by.........>

FOREX: Yuan strengthened overnight, aided by comments from Chinese President Xi,

who noted that China "will not pursue CNY depreciation that harms others,"

stressing that the country will "keep the yuan stable at its equilibrium level."

Stronger than exp. yuan fixing by the PBOC also lent support. As a result,

USD/CNH slid through CNH6.7500, moving away from yesterday's monthly high.

- Yuan strength spilled over into the Antipodeans. NZD was the best G10

performer, as it had already been buoyant after RBNZ Gov Orr said that he is not

"particularly worried" about slowing NZ economy. Nonetheless, Orr added that

there is room to cut rates if required, which might have limited NZD's gains.

Elsewhere, NZ trade surplus reached an eight-year high, printing at NZ$922mn.

- JPY had outperformed initially ahead of the Golden Week holidays, with a soft

start for the Nikkei 225 also providing support. However, the currency pared its

earlier gains into the Tokyo fix, even as the Nikkei 225 remained in the red.

Elsewhere, Japanese economic data sent mixed signals.

- U.S. GDP & U. of Mich. sentiment, French consumer confidence and Swedish

retail sales take focus today. ECB's Rehn is the sole central bank speaker.