• GBP$ soft in NY afternoon, -0.11% at 1.3455; NorAm range 1.3479-1.3451

• Summer doldrums linger, in-court US initial jobless claims shrugged off; gilt yields higher

• Oil rises as Mideast tensions escalate, UST yields rise aids USD lift

• Friday's NFP in focus, IJC hints payrolls likely a touch higher; focus to shift to UK, US CPI

• GBP$ res 1.3486 Wednesday high, 1.3505 daily high July 15, 1.3534 upper 30-d Bolli

• Supt 1.3418 daily low Aug 3, 1.3403 flat 200-DMA, 1.3348 50% Fib of 1.3140- 1.3556

GBP Chart:


(Paul.Spirgel is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own)