ForexLive North American wrap: QE3 takes a body blow

FOMC minutes contained no discussion of further QE Minutes: A 'couple' members indicated further stimulus could be necessary if econ slows Minutes: Jobs market better, strains in econ eased Think tank notes that 20% of Spanish home loans are toxic Merkel: Investors may shun euro area unless reforms are pursued Goldman says QE odds drop if not done by June IMF's Lagarde: No political intension to breakup the euro zone RTE: Ireland talking to EFSF about bailout loans Fed's Lockhart: rising rates would argue for more QE Explosion at office of former Greek PM, no injuries S&P 500 down 0.4% to 1413 USD leads, AUD lags on day EUR/USD slumped in the early going but bids around 1.3300 twice held and prompted a bounce to 1.3340/45. That's where the market was when the minutes hit, smashing the pair more than a cent lower to 1.3214. The bounce so far has been minimal. Dollar buying hit like a wave after the minutes, sending USD/JPY to 82.98 from 82.10. The move extends the reversal that started in Asia. Cable was already on the defensive before the minutes as yesterday's strength was unwound but GBP/USD ticked off an addition 80 pips on the minutes down to 1.5892 before a minuscule bounce to 1.5914. AUD/USD fell to the lowest since mid-Feb at 1.0301 but the barrier there has held so far, bouncing to 1.0323 last. CAD was the only currency able to keep pace with the buck after the minutes, owing to better commentary on the economy.