Foreign exchange market. American session: the Japanese yen hits 3.5-month highs against the U.S. dollar

The U.S. dollar traded mixed against the most major currencies due to concerns over the economic growth in China and concerns over tensions in Ukraine and in Vietnam. China’s financial regulators tightened rules on bank lending on Friday. Limited credit could inhibit economic growth.

Clashes between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists continued on Monday.

Violent anti-Chinese protests continued in Vietnam. China and Vietnam have been arguing for decades over the islands in the South China Sea.

The euro traded mixed against the U.S. dollar. Market participants are awaiting new stimulus measures by ECB next month. Eurozone’s construction output declined 0.6% in March from a 0.1% increase in February. On a yearly basis, Eurozone’s construction output climbed 5.2% in March from a 6.7% gain in February.

The British pound traded mixed against the U.S. dollar. After AstraZeneca rejected Pfizer’s offer, the British currency came under pressure.

The New Zealand dollar traded mixed against the U.S. dollar. The kiwi was supported by the better-than-expected economic data out of New Zealand. Producer price index input in New Zealand climbed 1% in the first quarter, from a 0.7% decline in the previous quarter. Analysts had expected a 0.4% gain.

Producer price index output in New Zealand increased 0.9% in the first quarter, from a 0.4% decline in the previous quarter. Analysts had forecasted a 0.7% rise.

The Australian dollar traded mixed against the U.S. dollar. No economic data was published in Australia.

The Japanese yen hits 3.5-month highs against the U.S. dollar. The yen was supported by the demand for safe-haven assets and the better-than-expected Japanese core machinery orders. The core machinery orders in Japan increased 19.1% in March, from a 4.6% gain in February. That was the record growth in March. February’s figure was revised up from an 8.8% decrease. Analysts had expected a 6.0% increase. On a yearly basis, the Japanese core machinery orders rose 16.1% in March, from a 10.8% increase in February. Analysts had forecasted a 4.3% gain.