The financial markets are generally steady ahead of holiday weekend. Dollar index is back below 103 handle but is staying in tight range between 102.50/103.50. Gold follows and stays in range between 1125/1140 for the moment. Meanwhile, crude oil is engaging in consolidative in a relatively wider range between 50/54. Trading in stock markets are also subdued with FTSE and DAX trading nearly flat in European morning. In the currency markets, bigger movement is found in Sterling today which trading broadly lower except versus Aussie and Lonnie. In particular, GBP/USD's break of 1.2301 support should confirm completion of recent corrective rise from 1.1946. And deeper fall would likely be seen back to 1.1946 in near term.
On the data front, UK Q3 GDP growth was finalized at 0.6% qoq, revised up from prior estimate of 0.5% qoq. Current account deficit widened to GBP -25.5b in Q3. Index of services rose 1.0% 3mo3m in October. Swiss KOF leading indicator was unchanged at 102.2 in December, below expectation of 103.1. German Gfk consumer sentiment rose 0.1 pts to 9.9% in January.
Canada GDP, US new home sales and U of Michigan sentiment final will be released later today.