European session: the euro has appreciated significantly

Data

05:00Japan Annualized Housing Starts, blnNovember 0.9780.9110.907

07:00Switzerland UBS Consumption IndicatorNovember 1.3 1.23

09:30United Kingdom BBA Mortgage ApprovalsNovember 33.1 34.633.6

In today's trading the euro rose against the dollar significantly, approaching with up to an eight-month high, which was caused by the publication of data on consumer confidence in France. National Statistics Office Insee said that confidence unexpectedly improved this month, reaching a level 86, up from 84 in November, showing with the first monthly increase since May, and increased the demand for assets in the region. Many economists expect that the value of the indicator is unchanged. Strengthening of the single currency was also supported by the release of a report on business confidence in Italy, which has also increased during December to reach 88.9 to 88.5.

The yen weakened against all 16 major currencies in anticipation of tomorrow's report, which is forecast to show that Japanese consumer prices fell. Against this background, increased speculation that Prime Minister Abe will require the central bank to increase the incentive program.

The dollar index, which is used to track the value of the dollar against the currencies of six U.S. partner, fell 0.3% to 79.41.

Value of the pound was higher against the U.S. dollar, registering with the third day rise in a row, after a report showed that the number of approved applications for mortgages to purchase homes in the UK rose last month to the level of 33,634 to 33,128 in oktyabrk, showing the highest value January. Also today, sterling rose to its highest level against the yen since April last year, which was caused by rumors that the Bank of Japan will step up stimulus measures to support growth.

EUR / USD: during the European session, the pair fell to $ 1.3280

GBP / USD: during the European session, the pair rose to $ 1.6202, but then fell to $ 1.6155

USD / JPY: during the European session the pair fell to Y85.58, then recovered to Y85.81

At 13:30 GMT the United States will present data on initial applications for unemployment benefits. At 15:00 GMT the U.S. will know about the number of sales in the primary market in November, and the index of consumer confidence for December. At 23:30 GMT, Japan will report on the unemployment rate, the consumer price index for the whole country and the core consumer price index for the whole country in November. Also during this time will be submitted to the consumer price index in the Tokyo core CPI for Tokyo in December, as well as data on retail sales and industrial production for November.