European session: the euro and pound declined

09:30 United Kingdom Retail Sales (MoM) December 0.0% +0.2% -0.1%

09:30 United Kingdom Retail Sales (YoY) December +0.9% +1.0% +0.3%

In the absence of an important regional statistics, the downward trend for the euro is determined disappointing news from the central banks of Spain and Italy. The Bank of Spain said that the problem loans of Spanish banks in November reached a new record high, while total loans fell to the lowest level since July 2007. In November, the volume of non-performing loans increased by 2 billion euros, or 2.69 billion dollars to 191.63 billion euros, or 11.4% of total outstanding loans. In October, the share of non-performing loans was lower - 11.2%. The previous year (in November 2011) it was 7.5%. Performing loans increased for 20 consecutive months due to a sharp increase in the number of bankruptcy cases of house-building companies and growing unemployment. Last year, the government had to intervene and to recapitalize several problem lenders, reported a record loss. Total loans in November fell by 5.7% compared to November 2011 due to low consumer demand for credit and banks after the introduction of tighter monetary policy.

In turn, the Bank of Italy lowered the GDP forecast for Italy to 2013 to -1.0% from the previously expected decline of 0.2% due to the weakness of the global economy and national production.

British pound updated 8-week low against the U.S. dollar on weak retail sales data. In December, the UK retail sales rose by 0.3% y / y vs. 1.1% y / y In monthly terms, had dropped by 0.1% against expectations of 0.2%. Sales excluding fuel marked decline by 0.3% in monthly terms in December vs. 0.1%, while year - rose 1.1% vs. 2.1%. Annual retail sales growth was the lowest since December 2010, when unusually severe weather prevented the British shop in stores. Excluding the December 2010 retail sales were the worst for that month since 1998.

EUR / USD: during the European session the updated at least $ 1.3295

GBP / USD: during the European session the pair fell to a new 8-week low of $ 1.5909

USD / JPY: during the European session, the pair has stabilized in the range of Y89.72 - Y90.05

At 13:30 GMT in Canada will change in the volume of production deliveries in November. At 14:55 GMT the U.S. will release consumer sentiment index from the University of Michigan in January.