EU economics czar Almunia says the rise in the EU jobless rate is worrying. The comment comes as G20 members scramble to come up with exit-strategies from fiscal stimulus to be deployed if the economic recovery proves durable. Most are reluctant to rock the boat for fear of pulling back on stimulus too early and derailing the nascent recovery.

EUR/USD is steady at 1.4200. The has been talk of Asian buying on dips today (and at higher levels as well). to my mind, the inability of EUR/USD to overcome former support at 1.4250 is significant. 1.4170/80 is good support on dips near-term.