Asian session: The dollar rose for an eighth day

00:00 Australia Consumer Inflation Expectation January +2.1% +2.3%

01:45 China HSBC Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) January 51.0 50.6 49.6

02:00 China Leading Index December +1.4% +0.4%

05:00 Japan BoJ monthly economic report January

The dollar rose for an eighth day, the longest winning streak since 2012, amid bets an improving U.S. economy will encourage Federal Reserve policy makers to dial back stimulus when they meet next week.

The dollar gained against most major peers before data forecast to show the number of Americans continuing to apply for jobless benefits fell and existing home sales increased. The number of Americans continuing to receive jobless benefits probably fell to 2.9 million in the period ended Jan. 11 from 3 million, according to the median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News before the Labor Department data today.

The 18-nation euro held a two-day advance against the yen before a report that may show Germany’s manufacturing industry expanded. An index of purchasing managers in Germany’s manufacturing industry probably climbed to 54.6 in January, a level unseen since June 2011, the median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg shows. A number above 50 indicates expansion and figure below that shows contraction. Economists predict factory output in the euro area expanded for a seventh straight month.

Australia’s dollar slid after data showed Chinese manufacturing contracted this month. The preliminary reading of 49.6 for a Purchasing Managers’ Index released today by HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit Economics compares with a final figure of 50.5 in December and a 50.3 median estimate of 19 analysts in a Bloomberg poll. China is Australia’s biggest trading partner.

EUR / USD: during the Asian session, the pair traded in the range of $ 1.3530-55

GBP / USD: during the Asian session, the pair traded in the range of $ 1.6555-75

USD / JPY: during the Asian session, the pair rose to Y104.85

BOE Fisher speaks at 0900GMT ahead of UK CBI sales at 1100GMT and provides the morning's domestic focus. EZ flash PMI's provide the

main market interest. Sterling remains in favour with traders awaiting next key UK data to see if they support further the analysts' view that a UK rate hike could come sooner than 2015.