Asian session: New Zealand’s dollar climbed

04:00 Japan BoJ Interest Rate Decision 0.10% 0.10% 0.10%

04:00 Japan BoJ Monetary Policy Statement

New Zealand's dollar climbed after data showed the nation's exports rose more than analysts forecast.

The euro was poised for its first weekly decline this month against the yen on speculation the European Central Bank will cut its record-low benchmark interest rate next week. German business confidence declined after winter weather hindered the recovery in Europe's largest economy. Spanish unemployment rose in the first quarter to the highest in at least 37 years and French jobless claims increased to the highest ever, data showed yesterday. The ECB has kept its main refinancing rate at 0.75 percent since July 2012.

Government figures today showed Japan's consumer prices excluding fresh food fell 0.5 percent in March from a year earlier, the biggest drop since March 2011.

EUR / USD: during the Asian session the pair rose to $ 1.3050

GBP / USD: during the Asian session the pair rose to $ 1.5470

USD / JPY: during the Asian session the pair fell to Y98.60

Friday is a quieter day, with only limited data on both sides of the Atlantic although US growth numbers will dominate. The calendar gets underway at 06500GMT, with the release of the German March import prices. At 0645GMT, the French April consumer confidence survey will cross the wires. At 0715GMT, ECB Executive Board member Joerg Asmussen delivers a speech, in Frankfurt. At 0800GMT, the ECB will release the March M3 data, while SNB Chairman Thomas Jordan delivers a speech at a shareholders meeting, in Bern. At 1300GMT, German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks at a small-business conference, in Berlin. Sovereign issuance is limited to an Italian T-bill sale. Italy plan to issue E8.5 bn in a new 6-month Oct 31, 2013 BOT.