(Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual
05:00 Japan BoJ monthly economic report
The U.S. dollar traded mixed against its major peers ahead of the Fed's monetary policy decision on Wednesday scheduled for 18:00 GMT. Yesterday data showed that Housing starts in the U.S. dropped 17.0% to 897,000 annualized rate in February from a 1.081 million pace in January, missing expectations for a decrease to 1.050 million. January's figure was revised up from 1.065 million units. Building permits in the U.S. increased 3.0% to 1.092 million annualized rate in February from a 1.06 million pace in January. Analysts had expected building permits to climb to 1.07 million units.
The euro is trading almost flat after rebounding from 12-year lows set on Monday. Quantitative Easing and concerns over Greece continue to weigh on the single currency.
The Australian dollar lost against the greenback. Australia's Leading Index came in at +0.3% for February, 0.2% higher than the previous reading.
New Zealand's dollar declined against the greenback today. The country's Current Account for the fourth quarter fell more-than-expected to a seasonally adjusted -3.19 billion from -5.01 billion in the preceding quarter. Analysts expected a reading of -3.12 billion. Late in the day New Zealand's is to report data on GDP.
The Japanese yen traded slightly higher against the greenback on Wednesday currently trading at USD121.33 on a light data day in Asia. Japan's Trade Balance came in at -424.6 billion for February compared to -1177 billion in January. The Adjusted Merchandise Trade Balance had a reading of -638.8 billion compared to forecasts of -1210 billion.
EUR/USD: the euro traded moderately lower against the greenback
(time / country / index / period / previous value / forecast)
09:30 United Kingdom Average earnings ex bonuses, 3 m/y January +1.7%
09:30 United Kingdom Average earnings ex bonuses, 3 m/y January +2.1% +2.2%
09:30 United Kingdom Claimant Count Rate February 2.5%
09:30 United Kingdom Claimant count February -38.6 -31.0
09:30 United Kingdom ILO Unemployment Rate February 5.7% 5.6%
09:30 United Kingdom Bank of England Minutes
10:00 Eurozone Trade balance unadjusted January 24.3
10:00 Eurozone Trade Balance s.a. January 23.3 21.1
10:00 Switzerland Credit Suisse ZEW Survey (Expectations) March -73.0
12:30 United Kingdom Annual Budget Release
12:30 Canada Wholesale Sales, m/m January +2.5% +2.1%
14:30 U.S. Crude Oil Inventories March +4.5
18:00 U.S. Fed Interest Rate Decision 0.25% 0.25
18:00 U.S. FOMC Economic Projections
18:00 U.S. FOMC Statement
18:30 U.S. Federal Reserve Press Conference
21:45 New Zealand GDP q/q Quarter IV +1.0% +0.8%
21:45 New Zealand GDP y/y Quarter IV +3.2%