FOREX-Dollar holds line after Trump, Biden clash in first debate

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

By Eimi Yamamitsu
TOKYO, Sept 30 (Reuters) - The dollar was little changed in
Asian trade on Wednesday, as traders assessed a fierce first
debate between Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic
rival Joe Biden ahead of the Nov. 3 U.S. presidential election.
In the pivotal debate, marked by Trump's repeated
interruptions in a chaotic encounter, the candidates battled
over the president's leadership on the coronavirus pandemic, the
economy and taxes. The dollar index against a basket of currencies hardly
budged at 93.821 =USD , after hitting a two-month high last
week.
Analysts said neither candidate emerged from the debate with
a decisive advantage.
"It's like as if they are both just insulting each other.
There is not much impact on the markets," Tohru Sasaki, head of
Japan market research at J.P.Morgan.
Month- and quarter-end currency flows appeared to hamper the
greenback, while better-than-expected U.S. economic data also
dented its perceived safe-haven bid.
U.S. consumer confidence rebounded more than expected in
September as households' views of the labour market improved.
China's yuan held steady even after twin surveys showed
strong factory activity growth, which backed recent signs of a
rebound in broad sectors of the world's second-biggest economy.
In the onshore market, the yuan was little changed at 6.8130
against the dollar CNY= , while the offshore yuan also steadied
at 6.8137 per dollar CNH=EBS .
The euro EUR=EBS was firm around a one-week high of
$1.1746 hit overnight. Against the yen, the single currency
changed hands at 124.01 yen, hovering near a two-week high of
124.11 yen EURJPY= .
The dollar advanced a fraction against the Swiss franc at
0.9202 franc, after falling as low as 0.9191 franc overnight
CHF=EBS .
Against the yen, the greenback was steady at 105.64 yen
JPY= , a fraction below a two-week high of 105.74 it marked
overnight.
Traders also remain focussed on progress made around a U.S.
fiscal stimulus packaged to cushion the coronavirus blow.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Tuesday she hoped to
have a coronavirus aid deal with the White House this week,
after speaking with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and making
plans for further talks on Wednesday.
Pelosi said on Monday Democratic lawmakers unveiled a new
$2.2 trillion fiscal stimulus bill, but in an interview with
CNBC, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow made clear that
the White House still views the updated figure as too high.
“We believe it is unlikely the stimulus bill progress in
its current form. The House Democrats stimulus bill is more than
$1 trillion above what key Republican policymakers are willing
to consider,” said Commonwealth Bank of Australia currency
analyst Kim Mundy in a note.
“The U.S. economic recovery is at risk without more fiscal
stimulus and as a result, USD is vulnerable to additional upside
in the short term.”
Sterling was steady at $1.2867 GBP=D3 against the dollar.
The British pound initially gained overnight on hopes for a
Brexit deal, but retreated after the Bank of England's governor
kept the door open for using sub-zero interest rates if
needed. The dollar stepped back against its New Zealand counterpart,
but advanced on the Australian peer. The Aussie edged 0.24%
lower at $0.7116 AUD=D3 , apparently taking its lead from
falling stocks.
The kiwi rose modestly, last fetching $0.6593 NZD=D3 after
an ANZ Bank survey showed New Zealand business sentiment
improved in September amid growing confidence that the country's
coronavirus outbreak is under control.