Foreign exchange market. European session: the British pound was up against the U.S. dollar due to expectations for the interest rates hike in the U.K.

Economic calendar (GMT0):

01:30    Australia                National Australia Bank's Business Confidence April      4.1                    6.0

05:00    Japan                    Eco Watchers Survey: Current                     April      57.9      45.2     41.6

05:00    Japan                    Eco Watchers Survey: Outlook                     April      34.7                  50.3

07:15    Switzerland            Retail Sales Y/Y                                              March +1.2%  +1.9% +3.0%

The U.S. dollar traded lower against the most major currencies. Increasing concerns over tensions in Ukraine had a negative impact on markets. Pro-Russian separatists said that the referendum held in two regions of eastern Ukraine proved successful. Both Ukrainian government and the West condemned the vote. Later in the day, the Congressional Budget Office will release the U.S. federal budget balance.

The euro was up against the U.S. dollar. No economic data was published in the Eurozone.

The Swiss Franc traded little changed against the U.S. dollar. Market participants remained unimpressed by the Swiss economic data. Swiss retail sales increased 3.0%, from a 1.2% rise in February. February’s figure was revised up from 1.0%. Analysts had expected a 1.9% increase.

The British pound climbed against the U.S. The British currency was supported by expectations that the Bank of England will hike interest rates in the first quarter of the next year.

The Canadian dollar recovered a part of its Friday’s losses against the U.S. dollar.

EUR/USD: the currency pair was up to $1.3775

GBP/USD: the currency pair climbed to $1.6903

USD/JPY: the currency pair traded mixed

The most important news that are expected (GMT0):

16:00    U.S.                       FOMC Member Charles Plosser Speaks                                                           

18:00    U.S.                       Federal budget                          April      -36.9     112.6   

23:01    United Kingdom     BRC Retail Sales Monitor y/y      April      -1.7%