Top FX Headlines: April 17th

[B]U.S[/B] March consumer prices report in line 0.6 percent on the month, core prices remain soft

[B]GBPUSD[/B] traded above the 2.00 level for the first time since Sept 1992, pre-ERM crisis levels.

[B]German April ZEW[/B] sentiment jumped to 16.5 (median 12.0) from 5.8 in Mar; Hike expectations remain strong

[B]U.K. March CPI[/B] surged to 3.1% versus consensus 2.8%, supporting May rate hike. King letter states MPC will carefully consider inflationary data at its next meeting

[B]Japan[/B] consumer sentiment showed expected m/m seasonal dip, Japan March consumer confidence +47.2 - lower than expected

[B]Japanese Finance Minister Koji Omi [/B]says that euro’s record highs are more attributed to regional European strength rather than Yen weakness.

[B]New Zealand Finance Minister Cullen[/B] continues to press NZD appreciation: “New Zealand’s dollar is persistently high and blocking a recovery in exports, leaving the nation’s economy dominated by domestic spending.”

[B]Swiss[/B] adjusted real retail sales rise 4.5 percent for February – higher than consensus expectations.

[B]Aussie [/B]moves towards a test of the 0.8400 figure, likely pulling back on profit taking.