- UK Nationwide consumer confidence falls to 18 month low
- China’s bank regulator: Should be able to keep inflation in check in 2011
- Japanese retail investors still buying foreign bonds
- BOE’s Financial Stability Review says UK banks are in stable position
- US 10-year yields marginally lower at 3.43%
- Nikkei, HK and Shanghai -0.25%; Kospi +0.6%
- Gold $1375/oz
EUR/USD has made some steady gains in Asia on what has primarily been short covering ahead of the weekend. After some moderately positive headlines from the first day of the EU leaders summit, EUR shorts are wary of more to come this evening. Crosses like EUR/GBP have also made decent gains. Ranges: EUR/USD 1.3235/95, EUR/CHF 1.2750/82
USD/JPY has fallen back below 84.00 although interest has been light today. Range: 83.80/84.07
Sterling has lost some ground on the crosses after the consumer confidence data. Ranges: Cable 1.5619/46, EUR/GBP .8466/.8504
AUD/USD has had a quiet session in a .9892/.9926 range.