Foreign exchange market. American session: the U.S. dollar traded mixed to lower against the most major currencies ahead of the FOMC's minutes

The U.S. dollar traded mixed to lower against the most major currencies ahead of the FOMC's minutes. Market participants are awaiting the release of the FOMC minutes later in the day.

The greenback remained supported by yesterday's strong U.S. housing market data. Housing starts in the U.S. jumped 15.7% to 1.093 million units in July from 945,000 units in June. That was the strongest rate since November.

The number of building permits rose by 8.1% to 1.052 million units in July from 973,000 in June.

Investors also speculate that the Fed will raise interest rates much earlier than the European Central Bank.

The euro traded mixed against the U.S. dollar. German producer price index decreased 0.1% in July, missing expectations for a 0.1% rise, after 0.0% in June.

On a yearly basis, German producer price index fell 0.8% in July, after a 0.7% drop in June.

The British pound traded mixed against the U.S. dollar. The British currency was still supported by the Bank of England's minutes. The Bank of England (BoE) released the minutes of its August meeting. Two members of the BoE's Monetary Policy Committee unexpectedly voted to hike interest rate to 0.75% from 0.5%. Other seven members voted to keep interest rate on hold. That was the first split in more than three years.

The Confederation of British Industry released its industrial order books balance. The CBI industrial order books balance jumped to +11% in August from +2% in July, exceeding expectations for a climb to +4%.

The Canadian dollar traded mixed against the U.S. dollar after Canadian wholesale sales. Canadian wholesale sales increased 0.6% in June, missing expectations for a 1.3% gain, after a 2.3% rise in May. May's figure was revised up from a 2.2% increase.

The New Zealand dollar fell against the U.S dollar due to the strong U.S. currency, but later recovered a part of its losses. No major economic reports were released in New Zealand.

The Australian dollar decreased against the U.S. dollar after comments by Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens, but later recovered its losses. Mr Stevens told the House Economics Committee in Brisbane that the Aussie remains high because Australia is more attractive for international investors than other countries. He added that the Australian currency will "go down at some point", but he doesn't know when. The RBA governor said there is no need in intervention.

Australia's leading index declined 0.1% in June, after a 0.1% rise in May.

The Japanese yen traded lower against the U.S. dollar after the weaker-than-expected economic data from Japan. Japan's adjusted trade deficit declined to 1,023.8 billion yen in July from a deficit of 1,067.8 in June, missing expectations for a fall to a deficit of 770 billion yen. June's figure was revised up from a deficit of 1,080.8 billion yen.

Japan's all industry activity index fell 0.4% in June, missing expectations for a 0.2% decline, after a 0.6% increase in May.