However, he added: "We simply said that our discussions should take place in the fall, or in autumn, since we are in Europe." While Draghi tried to remain guarded, traders took that to mean the bank would soon announce a "tapering". Fear of political paralysisSpooner added that the single currency had also been given support by Donald Trump's ongoing travails. Most Asian equity markets slipped into the red on Friday, with profit-taking also acting as a drag after a healthy July so far. Tokyo was down 0.3 percent by the break, Hong Kong slipped 0.1 percent by the break after a nine-day rally, while Shanghai slipped 0.2 percent.

Source: The Nation Bangkok July 21, 2017 02:48 UTC