Foreign exchange market. American session: the Canadian dollar increased against the U.S. dollar due to the better-than-expected housing starts in Canada

The U.S. dollar traded mixed against the most major currencies in the absence of any major economic reports in the U.S.

The euro traded mixed against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any major economic reports in the Eurozone.

The British pound traded mixed against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any major economic reports in the UK.

The Swiss franc traded mixed against the U.S. dollar after Swiss retail sales. Retail sales in Switzerland climbed 3.4% in June, exceeding expectations for a 0.7% increase, after a 0.5% fall in May. May's figure was revised up from a 0.6% decrease.

The Canadian dollar increased against the U.S. dollar due to the better-than-expected housing starts in Canada. The number of housing starts in Canada jumped to 200,100 units in July, beating expectations for a fall to 194,000 units, after 198,700 units in June. June's figure was revised up from 198,000 units.

The New Zealand dollar traded mixed against the U.S dollar as market sentiment recovered from risk aversion of investors. Investors preferred safe-haven assets last week as geopolitical tensions in Iraq and Ukraine weighed on markets.

No major economic reports were released in New Zealand.

The Australian dollar traded lower against the U.S. dollar. No major economic reports were released in Australia.

The Japanese yen traded mixed against the U.S. dollar. Japan's tertiary industry index declined 0.1% in June, after a 0.9% rise in May.

Consumer confidence in Japan rose to 41.5 in July from 41.1 in June, missing expectations for a gain to 42.3.

Japan's prelim machine tool orders increased 37.7% in July, after a 34.1% rise in June.