FOREX-Dollar edges up ahead of U.S. presidential debate; Aussie and Kiwi firm

* Graphic: World FX rates in 2020 https://tmsnrt.rs/2RBWI5E

LONDON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - The dollar edged up on Tuesday,
still close to 2-month highs, as markets awaited the first
debate between the U.S. presidential candidates, signs of
progress in U.S. fiscal stimulus talks and economic data,
including German inflation.
After racking up its biggest weekly gains since early April
last week as markets turned cautious and sought safer assets,
the dollar erased some losses on Monday and resumed gaining on
Tuesday, ahead of the debate between President Donald Trump and
Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
The 90-minute televised debate at 2100 ET (0100 GMT) will be
closely watched by investors for signs as to how the market
reacts to perceived victories by either candidate. "We expect a Trump re-election to be USD-positive, although
the non-negligible risk of a contested outcome (along with the
ultra-dovish Fed) may keep the dollar's upside somewhat capped
in the run-in to the vote, even if Trump's perceived chances
rise," wrote ING strategists in a note to clients.
But Commerzbank FX and EM analyst You-Na Park-Heger said
that what will be decisive for the dollar is not the question of
who will win the election but "whether Trump will accept the
result in case of his defeat or whether there is going to be a
longer period of uncertainty."
"The debate is unlikely to provide any new insights in this
respect and we therefore do not expect it to move EUR-USD in a
major way," she wrote.
At 0723, the dollar was at 94.265 against a basket of
currencies, up 0.1% on the day =USD . It held steady during a
quiet Asian session but picked up as European markets opened.
Equity markets opened lower, but riskier currencies held
firm, with the New Zealand dollar steady at 0.656 versus the
dollar NZD=D3 and the Australian dollar up 0.2% on the day at
0.70845 AUD=D3 .
The yen was steady against the dollar at 105.580 at 0742 GMT
JPY=EBS .
Markets were also waiting for developments in talks over aid
for people affected by the coronavirus in the United States.
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on
Monday that Democratic lawmakers were unveiling a new $2.2
trillion fiscal stimulus bill, which she said was a compromise
and less costly as it covers a shorter period of time.
The euro was steady at $1.16745, up 0.1% on the day
EUR=EBS .
The Swiss franc was steady against the euro at 1.0786 at
0742 GMT EURCHF=EBS .
European Central Bank policymakers are increasingly divided
over how to steer Europe's economy through a second wave of
COVID-19 infections. German inflation data for September is due at 1200 GMT and is
expected to be at -0.1%, according to a Reuters poll.
ECB President Christine Lagarde said on Monday that dissent
among policymakers is normal. She also said that the governing council will carefully
assess developments in the exchange rate. "Barring a negative CPI read in Germany, EUR/USD should test
1.1700 today ahead of the US Presidential debate as improved
sentiment may take some support off the USD," ING wrote.
U.S. consumer confidence data for September is due at 1400
GMT.