Foreign exchange market. Asian session: the U.S. dollar gained

Economic calendar (GMT0):

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

00:30 Australia Export Price Index, q/q Quarter IV 0.0% -3.8% -5.4%

00:30 Australia Import Price Index, q/q Quarter IV 1.4% -0.8% -0.3%

The U.S. dollar climbed against most major currencies after declining yesterday amid Fed's statement. The Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee kept interest rates unchanged as expected. The central bank admitted that economic growth slowed. However the Fed indicated that interest rates could still be raised in March

The yen declined amid Japan retail sales data. Retail sales fell by 1.1% y/y in December matching last year's reading. Economists had expected a modest decline of 0.1%. Retail sales fell by 0.2% in December after the 2.5% drop in November. Investors are also waiting for the Bank of Japan meeting. Some market participants expect the BOJ to add stimulus amid slowing inflation and stocks turmoil.

The New Zealand dollar fell after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand left its benchmark rate unchanged in line with expectations. However the central bank signaled it was ready to cut rates further if inflation growth does not pick up pace in the coming months. "Some further policy easing may be required over the coming year to ensure that future average inflation settles near the middle of the target range," RBNZ Governor Graeme Wheeler said.

EUR/USD: the pair fell to $1.0870 in Asian trade

USD/JPY: the pair rose to Y118.90

GBP/USD: the pair traded within $1.4230-60

The most important news that are expected (GMT0):

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

09:30 United Kingdom GDP, q/q (Preliminary) Quarter IV 0.4% 0.5%

09:30 United Kingdom GDP, y/y (Preliminary) Quarter IV 2.1% 1.9%

10:00 Eurozone Economic sentiment index January 106.8 106.4

10:00 Eurozone Business climate indicator January 0.41 0.39

10:00 Eurozone Industrial confidence January -2 -2.4

10:00 Eurozone Consumer Confidence (Finally) January -5.7 -6.3

13:00 Germany CPI, m/m (Preliminary) January -0.1% -0.8%

13:00 Germany CPI, y/y (Preliminary) January 0.3% 0.5%

13:30 U.S. Continuing Jobless Claims January 2208 2217

13:30 U.S. Initial Jobless Claims January 293 282

13:30 U.S. Durable Goods Orders December 0% -0.6%

13:30 U.S. Durable Goods Orders ex Transportation December -0.1% -0.1%

13:30 U.S. Durable goods orders ex defense November -1.5%

15:00 U.S. Pending Home Sales (MoM) December -0.9% 0.8%

21:45 New Zealand Building Permits, m/m December 1.8%

23:30 Japan Unemployment Rate December 3.3% 3.3%

23:30 Japan Tokyo Consumer Price Index, y/y January 0.0%

23:30 Japan Tokyo CPI ex Fresh Food, y/y January 0.1% 0.1%

23:30 Japan Household spending Y/Y December -2.9% -2.4%

23:30 Japan National Consumer Price Index, y/y December 0.3% 0.2%

23:30 Japan National CPI Ex-Fresh Food, y/y December 0.1% 0.1%