Foreign exchange market. Asian session: the yen advanced

Economic calendar (GMT0):

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

01:45 China Markit/Caixin Services PMI December 51.2 52.3 50.2

The yen rose against the U.S. dollar to the highest level since October 15 as risk sentiment declined after Chinese authorities set the exchange rate of the yuan lower today. The People's Bank of China has lowered the rate to 6.5314 yuan per dollar from 6.5169 yuan per dollar yesterday.

New Zealand and Australian dollars declined after data showed that Markit/Caixin Services PMI for China declined to 50.2 points in December from 51.2 reported previously. Economists had expected a reading of 52.3. This means that activity growth has slowed down. Recently a corresponding index for manufacturers declined. Investors are concerned over China's ability to meet its growth target this year.

The Australian dollar was also weighed by domestic data. The AIG Services Index fell to 46.3 points in December (the weakest result since November 2014) from 48.2 reported previously.

EUR/USD: the pair declined to $1.0733 in Asian trade

USD/JPY: the pair fell to Y118.71

GBP/USD: the pair fell to $1.4648

The most important news that are expected (GMT0):

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

07:45 France Consumer confidence December 96 95

08:50 France Services PMI (Finally) 51 50

08:55 Germany Services PMI (Finally) December 55.6 55.4

09:00 Eurozone Services PMI (Finally) 54.2 53.9

09:30 United Kingdom Purchasing Manager Index Services December 55.9 55.6

10:00 Eurozone Producer Price Index, MoM November -0.3% -0.2%

10:00 Eurozone Producer Price Index (YoY) November -3.1% -3.1%

12:00 U.S. MBA Mortgage Applications December

13:15 U.S. ADP Employment Report December 217 192

13:30 Canada Trade balance, billions November -2.76 -2.6

13:30 U.S. International Trade, bln November -43.89 -44

14:45 U.S. Services PMI (Finally) December 56.1 55.1

15:00 U.S. ISM Non-Manufacturing January 55.9 56

15:00 U.S. Factory Orders November 1.5% -0.2%

15:30 U.S. Crude Oil Inventories January 2.629 -1.5

19:00 U.S. FOMC meeting minutes