Foreign exchange market. Asian session: U.S. dollar mixed to weaker

(Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual

00:30 Australia National Australia Bank's Business Confidence December 1 4 2

02:00 China Leading Index December 0.9% 1.1%

The U.S. dollar traded weaker to flat against most major currencies. The euro dropped to a low at USD1.1097 yesterday on concerns the Greek elections results could lead to instability in Europe but recovered during the session and remained stronger. Markets await the FED's interest rate decision tomorrow and a set of U.S. data later in the day starting at 13:30 GMT.

The Australian dollar recouped losses after touching the weakest level since June 2009 yesterday against the greenback but is trading almost flat during the Asian session. National Australia Bank's Business Confidence for December rose from 1 to 2, missing forecasts of an increase to 4. China's Leading Index for December rose from 0.9% to 1.1%. China is Australia's most important trade partner. Next week the Royal Bank of Australia will meet to decide on whether to cut interest rates or not. Currently they are at a record low of 2.5% but weakening commodity prices may lead to a further cut in the middle of the year.

New Zealand's dollar halted its fall after trading at the weakest since 2012 yesterday. In the Asian session the currency traded almost flat currently quoted at USD0.7425.

The Japanese yen traded higher against the greenback on Tuesday gaining some ground after yesterday's losses in the absence of any major economic data.

EUR/USD: the euro traded almost flat against the greenback

(time / country / index / period / previous value / forecast)

09:30 United Kingdom GDP, q/q (Preliminary) Quarter IV +0.7% +0.6%

09:30 United Kingdom GDP, y/y (Preliminary) Quarter IV +2.6% +2.8%

10:00 Eurozone ECOFIN Meetings

13:30 U.S. Durable Goods Orders December -0.9% Revised From -0.7% +0.5%

13:30 U.S. Durable Goods Orders ex Transportation December -0.7% Revised From -0.4% +0.5%

14:00 U.S. S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, y/y November +4.5% +4.5%

14:00 U.S. Consumer confidence January 92.6 94.4

14:45 U.S. Services PMI (Preliminary) January 53.3

15:00 U.S. Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index January 7

15:00 U.S. New Home Sales December 438 450

21:30 U.S. API Crude Oil Inventories January +5.7

23:30 Australia Leading Index December -0.1%