News
and data flow were light during the session and major FX traded
within narrow ranges.

On
the data front we had two consumer confidence surveys from Australia,
both of which were deeply pessimistic. On the other hand the results
of the most recent National Australia Bank Business Survey which
showed business confidence and business conditions both improved.

From
China was news that giant property developer Country Garden had won
approval to extend six onshore bond repayments. China
stock markets are up on the day, as is AUD (a China-proxy trade). All
moves are very small.

Asian
equity markets:

• Japan’s Nikkei 225 +0.6%

• China’s Shanghai Composite +0.01%

• Hong Kong’s Hang Seng +0.04%

• South Korea’s KOSPI -0.5%

• Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 -0.04%

Bitcoin popped back toward USD26K: