Asian session: The yen fell to its lowest in 2 1/2 years against the dollar

00:30 Australia Producer price index, q / q IV quarter +0.6% +0.3% +0.2%

00:30 Australia Producer price index, y/y IV quarter +1.1% +1.2% +1.0%

01:00 China Manufacturing PMI January 50.6 51.1 50.4

01:45 China HSBC Manufacturing PMI (finally) January 51.9 52.1 52.3

05:30 Australia RBA Commodity prices, y/y January -8.0% -6.4%

The yen fell to its lowest in 2 1/2 years against the dollar and euro amid speculation Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is nearing selection of a new Bank of Japan governor who will boost monetary stimulus to spur inflation.

Japan’s currency weakened past 92 per dollar after data today showed an increase in the nation’s jobless rate and a decline in household spending, adding to impetus for further easing to bolster growth. Japan’s Labor Force Survey showed the nation’s unemployment rate climbed to 4.2 percent in December from 4.1 percent in the previous month. A separate report indicated spending among households fell 0.7 percent in the same period from a year earlier.

The euro rose to a 14-month high against the greenback before reports that may confirm manufacturing improved in the 17-nation region. The final reading for a gauge of euro zone factory output by Markit Economics will probably show a gain to 47.5 in January from 46.1 in the previous month, according to the median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. A level below 50 indicates contraction.

Australia’s dollar fell after factory output in China, the nation’s biggest trading partner, expanded at a slower-than-expected pace. In China, the manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 50.4 last month from 50.6 in December. That compared with economist estimates for a gain to 51. A similar gauge from by HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit rose to 52.3 in January from 51.5 a month earlier.

EUR / USD: during the Asian session, the pair rose to $1.3635.

GBP / USD: during the Asian session, the pair rose to yesterday's high.

USD / JPY: during the Asian session, the pair rose above Y92.00.