• Trichet’s testimony as ESRB chief: Crisis has reached systemic dimension. Sees upwardly rising risk of contagion
  • Slovak PM Radicova: Slovak govt to tie no-confidence motion vote to EFSF vote. Comes after coalition member SAS rejected compromise to allow EFSF measure to pass
  • Slovak SAS chief Sulik says tying confidence vote to EFSF means EFSF will not be approved. Will not participate in EFSF vote
  • Slovak opposition party SMER leader Fico says ready to talk to parties seeking approval of EFSF if Tuesday vote fails
  • Japan s.a September consumer confidence index 38.6, up from 37.0 in August
  • BOJ monthly report: Overseas growth to remain firm but outlook highly uncertain
  • Japan September economy watchers’ survey service workers index 45.3, down from 47.3 in August. Japan cabinet office says pace of economic recovery has moderated due in part to impact of yen strength
  • UK August manufacturing output -0.3% m/m versus Reuters’ median forecast of -0.2%, weakest since April. Industrial output +0.2% m/m versus Reuters’ median forecast of -0.2%
  • German push for Greek default risks EMU-wide ‘snowball’ – AEP at The Telegraph

Little bit of risk aversion in the air this morning. European stocks, oil, gold all off, but not by much. Yada, yada yada, you know the score. Uncompromising words from Trichet (see above) won’t have helped. Neither will the uncertainty which surrounds the Slovak EFSF extension vote.

EUR/USD down at 1.3595 from early 1.3630. We did initially see a semi-decent rally which extended to 1.3672, with the likes of China, the Big German and model funds reportedly notable buyers. Then comments from Trichet hit the wires and the pairing engaged reverse gear.

The sell-off has extended as its become clear the Slovak EFSF vote is going to be a messy affair.

Talk of decent-sized 1.3700 barrier interest, with “sovereign” offers reported lined up just ahead of said level.

Cable effectively unchanged at 1.5625 as is USD/JPY at 76.60.

Sources did however report that an “interesting” name has been a notable buyer of 1 month USD/JPY calls with a 79.00 strike!! Personally I just hope they’re onto something and the comatose pairing starts to actually move.

Commodity currencies little weaker in line with risk off backdrop. AUD/USD down at .9925 from early .9965, while USD/CAD is up at 1.0315 from around 1.0295.