• Equity markets managed to end positively in Europe recouping some losses following Friday's close. Fixed income and stock markets are closed in the US due to a public holiday, lending to thinner volumes on the FX side. The GBPUSD rallied strong in the US session but has since sold off roughly 50pips after reaching an intraday high of 1.6377. Commodity-linked currencies staged a rally at the open of the NY session, with the Aussie and Loonie showing exceptional strength. Euro has been very unstable due mostly to concerns regarding the stance on Greece economic situation. Some Analysts are calling for a decline in the EURGBP based on the negative fundamentals in the region and talks that Greece may consider leaving the EU.
• UK Home prices increased 0.4% in January, and 4.1% on an annual basis only 8.3% away from its highest level in May of 2008
• The BOJ improved its economic assessment in four of nine regions in the country, a statement from the Central Bank Quarterly Meeting said "The economy had picked up in all regions, although regional differences in the pace and extent of the recovery remained"
• Chinese capital inflows reached $48.7bln in December the largest increase in eight months according to CICC (China International Capital Corp), Foreign Exchange reserves also increased ($10bln) but at the smallest rate since November of 2008

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