Foreign exchange market. Asian session: the U.S. dollar little changed

Economic calendar (GMT0):

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

01:35 Japan Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) December 52.6 52.5

The U.S. dollar traded range-bound ahead of the Fed's anticipated interest rate decision later today. Investors expect the central bank of the U.S. to raise its interest rates for the first time since 2006. Several times Fed Chair Janet Yellen pointed to a possibility of a liftoff in interest rates at December meeting in case of sustained economic growth and lower unemployment rate. Last week data showed that the unemployment rate remained at record-low 5% in November, while the number of employed outside the farming sector rose by 211,000. Higher rates would support the USD.

The Australian dollar edged up amid RBA Governor Glenn Stevens' speech. He made no comments on the recent strength of the Australian dollar. Usually Stevens tries to intervene verbally against the AUD in an interview with Australian Financial Review ahead of the holiday season, but not this year. Stevens made optimistic comments on the country's economy. "I think the economy is handling the shock remarkably well," he said.

EUR/USD: the pair fluctuated within $1.0925-50 in Asian trade

USD/JPY: the pair traded within Y121.60-95

GBP/USD: the pair traded within $1.5035-55

The most important news that are expected (GMT0):

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

08:00 France Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) December 50.6 50.5

08:00 France Services PMI (Preliminary) December 51 50.8

08:30 Germany Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) December 52.9 53

08:30 Germany Services PMI (Preliminary) December 55.6 55.5

09:00 Eurozone Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) December 52.8 52.8

09:00 Eurozone Services PMI (Preliminary) December 54.2 54.1

09:30 United Kingdom Average earnings ex bonuses, 3 m/y October 2.5% 2.3%

09:30 United Kingdom Average Earnings, 3m/y October 3% 2.5%

09:30 United Kingdom Claimant count November 3.3 1.5

09:30 United Kingdom ILO Unemployment Rate October 5.3% 5.3%

10:00 Eurozone Trade balance unadjusted October 20.5 21.5

10:00 Eurozone Harmonized CPI November 0.1% -0.2%

10:00 Eurozone Harmonized CPI ex EFAT, Y/Y (Finally) November 1.1% 0.9%

10:00 Eurozone Harmonized CPI, Y/Y (Finally) November 0.1% 0.1%

10:00 Switzerland Credit Suisse ZEW Survey (Expectations) December 0.0

12:00 U.S. MBA Mortgage Applications December 1.2%

13:30 Canada Foreign Securities Purchases October 3.35

13:30 U.S. Housing Starts November 1060 1135

13:30 U.S. Building Permits November 1161 1150

14:15 U.S. Capacity Utilization November 77.5% 77.4%

14:15 U.S. Industrial Production (MoM) November -0.2% -0.1%

14:15 U.S. Industrial Production YoY November 0.3%

14:45 U.S. Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary) December 52.8 52.6

15:30 U.S. Crude Oil Inventories December -3.568 -1.4

19:00 U.S. Fed Interest Rate Decision 0.25% 0.5%

19:00 U.S. FOMC Economic Projections

19:00 U.S. FOMC Statement

19:30 U.S. Federal Reserve Press Conference

21:45 New Zealand GDP q/q Quarter III 0.4% 0.8%

21:45 New Zealand GDP y/y Quarter III 2.4% 2.3%

23:50 Japan Trade Balance Total, bln November 111.5 -446.2