Foreign exchange market. Asian session: the Australian dollar dropped against the U.S. dollar due to concerns over the violence in Iraq and comments by the Reserve Bank of Australia

Economic calendar (GMT0):

01:30    Australia               RBA Meeting's Minutes                                                            

01:30    Australia               New Motor Vehicle Sales (MoM)            May       0.0%                     0.3%

01:30    Australia               New Motor Vehicle Sales (YoY)             May       -1.9%                   -2.0%

05:45    Switzerland           SECO Economic Forecasts                  Quarter III                                         

07:15    Switzerland           Producer & Import Prices, m/m             May       -0.3%   0.0%      +0.1%

07:15    Switzerland           Producer & Import Prices, y/y               May       -1.2%   -0.8%    -0.8%

08:30    United Kingdom    Retail Price Index, m/m                         May       +0.4%  +0.2%   +0.1%

08:30    United Kingdom    Retail prices, Y/Y                                  May       +2.5%  +2.5%   +2.4%

08:30    United Kingdom    RPI-X, Y/Y                                            May       +2.6%               +2.5%  

08:30    United Kingdom    Producer Price Index - Input (MoM)      May       -1.1%   +0.1%   -0.9%

08:30    United Kingdom    Producer Price Index - Input (YoY)       May       -5.5%   -4.1%    -5.0%

08:30    United Kingdom    Producer Price Index - Output (MoM)    May       0.0%     +0.1%   0.0%

08:30    United Kingdom    Producer Price Index - Output (YoY)     May       +0.6%  +0.8%   +1.0%

08:30    United Kingdom    HICP, m/m                                             May       +0.4%  +0.2%   -0.1%

08:30    United Kingdom    HICP, Y/Y                                              May       +1.8%  +1.7%   +1.5%

08:30    United Kingdom    HICP ex EFAT, Y/Y                                May       +2.0%               +1.6%

The U.S. dollar traded higher against the most major currencies. The demand for the U.S. currency was supported by the violence in Iraq and the yesterday’s better-than expected economic data.

Concerns over the violence in Iraq and the resulting possible impact of higher oil prices on global economic growth weighed on the risk-related currencies.

The NAHB housing market index in the U.S. increased to 49 in June from 45 in May, exceeding expectations for a gain to 47.

NY Fed Empire State manufacturing index increased to 19.3 in June from 19.0 in May, exceeding expectations from a decline to 15.2.

The New Zealand dollar declined against the U.S dollar in the absence of any major economic reports in New Zealand. Concerns over the violence in Iraq weighed on the kiwi.

The Australian dollar dropped against the U.S. dollar due to concerns over the violence in Iraq and comments by the Reserve Bank of Australia.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) released minutes from its latest meeting. The RBA said that the current stimulus measures continue to be appropriate and the economic growth is expected to remain slightly below trend. Australia’s central bank added inflation in Australia is to remain within the target range of 2% to 3%.

New motor vehicle sales in Australia increased 0.3% in May, after a flat reading in April. On a yearly basis, new motor vehicle sales in Australia declined 2.0% in May, after a 1.9% drop in April.

The Japanese yen traded lower against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any major economic reports in Japan.

EUR/USD: the currency pair declined to $1.3560

GBP/USD: the currency pair decreased to $1.6960

USD/JPY: the currency pair increased to Y102.10

The most important news that are expected (GMT0):

12:30    U.S.                  Building Permits, mln                                      May            1.08      1.07      

12:30    U.S.                  Housing Starts, mln                                        May            1.07      1.04      

12:30    U.S.                  CPI, m/m                                                        May           +0.3%  +0.2%  

12:30    U.S.                  CPI, Y/Y                                                         May           +2.0%  +2.0%  

12:30    U.S.                  CPI excluding food and energy, m/m             May           +0.2%  +0.2%  

12:30    U.S.                  CPI excluding food and energy, Y/Y               May           +1.8%  +1.8%  

22:45    New Zealand     Current Account                                            Quarter I     -1.43     1.42      

23:50    Japan                Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes                                                      

23:50    Japan                Adjusted Merchandise Trade Balance, bln      May            -808.9  -1100