* Chinese yuan strengthens most
* Sino-U.S. ministerial-level trade talks awaited
* South Korea, Japan to hold talks on Friday
(Adds text, updates prices)
By Shreya Mariam Job
Oct 10 (Reuters) - Most Asian currencies firmed on Thursday,
as a volatile dollar weakened broadly on mixed signals over the
state of trade talks between Washington and Beijing.
Dampened sentiment following suggestions that the Chinese
delegation might cut the ministerial-level talks short and leave
Washington on Thursday were offset by a Bloomberg report that
the United States is weighing a currency pact with China as part
of a partial deal. Traders also took note of a New York Times report that
Washington will issue licenses allowing some U.S. companies to
supply non-sensitive goods to China's Huawei, as the dollar
eased against a basket of major currencies .DXY . FRX/
"News of Huawei and the currency pact released together with
the strong (yuan) fix, underscores the fact that PBoC (People's
Bank Of China) is (ready) ...to give a strong guidance for the
CNY as a potential pact with the U.S. could be at hand," a
Maybank note said.
U.S. Federal Reserve meeting minutes released on Wednesday
were largely in line with expectations and had little market
impact.
The yuan CNY=CFXS strengthened 0.3% and the Singapore
dollar SGD= firmed 0.2%.
The Philippine peso PHP= firmed marginally. Data showed
that August exports rose 0.6%, while imports slumped 11.8%,
narrowing the country's August deficit.
Taiwan financial markets were closed for a holiday.
WON SLIPS
The Korean won KRW=KFTC bucked the trend to slip 0.3%
ahead of talks with Japan on Friday over tighter export controls
from Tokyo. The talks are part of a dispute settlement process
through the World Trade Organisation. The won is the worst performer among Asian currencies this
year.
The prolonged Sino-U.S. trade conflict and the dispute with
Japan has dealt a huge blow to South Korea's trade-reliant
economy. In September, exports slumped 11.7%, shrinking for the
10th consecutive month. VS DOLLAR
Change on the day at 0630 GMT
Currency Latest bid Previous day Pct Move
Japan yen 107.530 107.46 -0.07
Sing dlr 1.378 1.3805 +0.16
Korean won 1196.200 1193.1 -0.26
Baht 30.340 30.32 -0.07
Peso 51.660 51.75 +0.17
Rupiah 14145.000 14165 +0.14
Rupee 71.070 71.07 +0.00
Ringgit 4.191 4.1955 +0.11
Yuan 7.113 7.1315 +0.26
Change so far in 2019
Currency Latest bid End 2018 Pct Move
Japan yen 107.530 109.56 +1.89
Sing dlr 1.378 1.3627 -1.13
Taiwan dlr 30.850 30.733 -0.38
Korean won 1196.200 1115.70 -6.73
Baht 30.340 32.55 +7.28
Peso 51.660 52.47 +1.57
Rupiah 14145.000 14375 +1.63
Rupee 71.070 69.77 -1.83
Ringgit 4.191 4.1300 -1.46
Yuan 7.113 6.8730 -3.37