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Bessent Says U.S. Must Strengthen Supply Chains and Economic Security 
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Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
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Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
The Japanese government bonds slid on the last trading day of the week Friday tracking a similar movement in the United States’ Treasuries amid a muted trading session that witnessed data of little economic significance.
The yield on the benchmark 10-year JGB note, which moves inversely to its price, slightly gained to -0.092 percent, the yield on the long-term 30-year also edged higher to 0.510 percent and the yield on short-term 2-year too traded tad up at -0.177 percent by 06:30GMT.
UK PM May will hold a third vote on her Brexit deal today, with no clearer sign of any light at the end of the tunnel, albeit this will not include the Political Declaration of the Future Relationship with the EU which will be voted on separately, OCBC Treasury Research reported
Basically, the most likely scenarios in our view remain either that of a longer Article 50 extension with a potential preference for a permanent customs union, or a new election-cum-referendum if the stalemate remains. Meanwhile, US’ 4Q18 GDP growth was revised down from 2.6 percent to 2.2 due to revisions in consumer and government spending.
The S&P500 saw modest gains overnight, while UST bond yields rose, with the 10-year up to 2.39 percent after touching a fresh year-to-date low of 2.34 percent. Amid Mnuchin and Lighthizer’s ongoing trade talks with China, White House advisor Kudlow has warned that trade negotiations could extend for weeks or months to reach a deal, the report added.
Meanwhile, the Nikkei 225 index closed nearly 1 percent higher at 21,205.81, while at 06:00GMT, the FxWirePro's Hourly JPY Strength Index remained neutral at -67.57 (a reading above +75 indicates a bullish trend, while that below -75 a bearish trend). For more details, visit http://www.fxwirepro.com/currencyindex
