Foreign exchange market. Asian session: the Australian dollar rose on higher commodity prices

Economic calendar (GMT0):

Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual

01:35 Japan Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) January 52.6 52.8 52.4

The euro declined against the U.S. dollar after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi hinted at possibility of further stimulus at a meeting in March. Draghi also noted that inflation outlook worsened. The ECB left its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Thursday despite low energy costs and concerns over the influence of China's slowing economic growth on the central bank's attempts to reach its inflation target.

The yen declined amid weaker demand for the safe-haven currency after Asian stocks rebounded. The yen was also influenced by talks about more stimulus from the Bank of Japan.

The Australian dollar rose following commodity prices. The AUD was also supported by comments from Chinese official, who said that China will act to counter slowing growth. He noted that the country needed a healthy stock market. China is Australia's major trading partner.

EUR/USD: the pair fell to $1.0830 in Asian trade

USD/JPY: the pair rose to Y118.00

GBP/USD: the pair traded within $1.4205-25

The most important news that are expected (GMT0):

(time / country / index / period / previous value / forecast)

07:45 Eurozone ECB President Mario Draghi Speaks

08:00 France Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) January 51.4 51.3

08:00 France Services PMI (Preliminary) January 49.8 50.2

08:30 Germany Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) January 53.2 53

08:30 Germany Services PMI (Preliminary) January 56 55.6

09:00 Eurozone Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) January 53.2 53

09:00 Eurozone Services PMI (Preliminary) January 54.2 54.2

09:00 Switzerland World Economic Forum Annual Meetings

09:30 United Kingdom PSNB, bln December -13.56 -10.35

09:30 United Kingdom Retail Sales (MoM) December 1.7% -0.3%

09:30 United Kingdom Retail Sales (YoY) December 5.0% 4.3%

12:00 United Kingdom BOE Deputy Governor for Financial Stability Jon Cunliffe speaks

13:30 Canada Retail Sales, m/m November 0.1% 0.2%

13:30 Canada Retail Sales YoY November 1.9%

13:30 Canada Retail Sales ex Autos, m/m November 0.0% 0.4%

13:30 Canada Consumer Price Index m / m December -0.1% -0.4%

13:30 Canada Consumer price index, y/y December 1.4% 1.7%

13:30 Canada Bank of Canada Consumer Price Index Core, y/y December 2% 2.1%

13:30 U.S. Chicago Federal National Activity Index December -0.3

14:00 U.S. Housing Price Index, m/m November 0.5%

14:45 U.S. Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) January 51.2 51.1

15:00 U.S. Leading Indicators December 0.4% -0.1%

15:00 U.S. Existing Home Sales December 4.76 5.2