Improved risk sentiment still intact at start of week

Risk sentiment still improving, Asian stocks, oil up, while gold, treasuries are lower etc etc. Comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke, that policies to unfreeze credit markets are working, is helping sentiment.

In this environment the likes of sterling, euro, aussie, canadian dollar are prospering, while yen,greenback and swissy struggle. The ability of EUR/JPY to hold above 135.00 is reflective of the healthy risk appetite at the start of the week. Things have improved to the extent that people are talking about a mini revival of the carry trade.

For today, not a huge amount on the economic data front;

08:30 GMT: Euro zone sentix investor confidence expected -40.4

09:00 GMT: Euro zone PPI (Feb) expected -0.5% m/m, -1.5% y/y

09:00 GMT: Euro Zone retail sales (Feb) -0.4% m/m, -2.5% y/y