950816

Asian dollar

deposits little

changed

SINGAPORE: Asian dollar deposits were little changed in thin trade, dealers said.

They said most traders were sidelined ahead of tonight's 1230 GMT release of the US July housing starts data, which is forecast to be around 1.31 million annualized units compared with 1.26 million units reported in June.

"Rates were marked up slightly in the morning on some local buying interest, but activity was limited by lack of fresh factors. Most people are waiting for direction from tonight's housing starts figures," a local dealer said.

"But I don't think there will be much impact here unless the numbers are way off market expectations," he said.

In day-to-day rates, Wednesday/Thursday, Thursday/Friday and week-fixed rose 1/16 percentage point each to a common 6 5-7/8 percent, respectively.

Among longer dates, one- and three-months rose 1/16 point each to a common 6 5-7/8 percent, accordingly.

Six-months rose 1/16 point to 6-1/16 5-15/16 and twelve-month rose 1/6 point to 6-1/8 6 percent.-Reuter