Foreign exchange market. Asian session: the yen gained

Economic calendar (GMT0):

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

07:00 Switzerland Trade Balance December 3.14 3.33 2.54

The yen gained against the U.S. dollar amid declines in oil prices and Asian stocks. These circumstances led to higher demand for the safe-haven currency. The yen gained despite dowish comments from Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso, who expressed support for the Bank of Japan's will to act "without hesitation". "We hope the BOJ will continue its efforts to achieve its price stability target while taking into consideration economic and price conditions," Aso said.

The euro traded range-bound ahead of euro zone inflation data scheduled for this week. Consumer prices are expected to have risen by 0.4% y/y in January after a 0.2% increase in December. Higher inflation would relief ECB policymakers, because they had to use unconventional tools to make inflation grow towards the target level of just under 2%.

France, Spain and Belgium will release their fourth quarter GDP reports. These data will help market participants assess strength of the euro zone economy.

EUR/USD: the pair fluctuated within $1.0840-60 in Asian trade

USD/JPY: the pair fell to Y117.95

GBP/USD: the pair traded within $1.4205-50

The most important news that are expected (GMT0):

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

10:45 United Kingdom BOE Gov Mark Carney Speaks

14:00 U.S. Housing Price Index, m/m November 0.5% 0.4%

14:00 U.S. S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, y/y November 5.5% 5.7%

14:45 U.S. Services PMI (Preliminary) January 54.3 54

15:00 U.S. Consumer confidence January 96.5 96.5

15:00 U.S. Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index January 6 3

23:30 Australia Leading Index December -0.2%