• China says North Korea a “serious concern”
  • BOJ Governor Shirakawa: Japan economy has begun to stop worsening
  • Italy June consumer confidence rises to 105.4 from 104.9 in May, better than median forecast of 105.1. Highest since December 2007
  • Euro zone April current account deficit (s.a) -5.9 bln euros vs -7.0 bln in March
  • Italy April retail sales -0.4% (s.a) vs +0.2% in March, worse than median forecast of flat
  • OECD sees GDP growth in 30 country OECD area at -4.1% in 2009, +0.7% in 2010
  • ECB lends banks 442.24 bln euros first 1-year loan, biggest ever liquidity injection
  • UK inflation expectations for year ahead rise to 2% in June from 1.6% in May – YouGov/Citigroup survey
  • UK CBI retail sales balance -17 in June, unchanged from May and exactly in line with median forecast

Sterling strength is the main feature this morning, cable up at 1.6575 from an early 1.6470. Sterling has even managed to gain ground against a generally firm yen, GBP/JPY up at 157.75 from an early 157.45.

Cable saw accelerated gains when buy stops just above 1.6480 were triggered in very early European trading. Sources report that there has been strong, ongoing, demand for cable from Middle Eastern names (Saudi/Qatar) throughout the morning. The 1.6600 line has so far survived a couple of tests and we’re slightly off the highs at 1.6575.

EUR/USD rallied early, triggering stops just above 1.4110 and hitting a session high 1.4138. Russia was said to be a notable buyer on the way up.

Aggressive selling of the EUR/GBP cross helped cap EUR/USD gains and we saw a fairly orderly sell-off, which accelerated when the announcment of the ECB refinancing results hit the wires. We were standing around 1.4085/90 and slumped quickly to a 1.4055 session low before rebounding just as quickly. A typical knee-jerk reaction, blink and you would have missed it. We’re presently at 1.4085, little changed on the day.

As I’m writing this EUR/CHF is forging higher as rumours circulate that the SNB has entered the market buying the cross. We’re up at 1.5095 having been as low as 1.5013 today. EDIT: Rumour BIS in market on behalf of SNB (same difference). The BIS declines to comment.