Economic calendar (GMT0):
(Time/ Region/ Event/ Period/ Previous/ Forecast/ Actual)
00:30 Australia CPI, y/y Quarter IV +2.3% +1.8% +1.7%
00:30 Australia CPI, q/q Quarter IV +0.5% +0.3% +0.2%
07:00 Germany Gfk Consumer Confidence Survey February 9.0 9.1 9.3
07:00 Switzerland UBS Consumption Indicator December 1.29 1.42
The U.S. dollar traded mixed against the most major currencies ahead of the Fed's interest rate decision. Investors expect that the Fed might keep its interest rate on hold for a longer period as recent released U.S. economic has been mixed. They are awaiting new signs for further monetary policy in the U.S.
The euro traded mixed against the U.S. dollar despite the better-than-expected Gfk German consumer confidence index. The index increased to 9.3 in February from 9.0 in January, beating forecasts for a rise to 9.1. That was the highest level since November 2001.
Investors remained cautious amid concerns over Greece's future policy. Syriza party won the country's parliament elections on Sunday. The party has pledged to renegotiate the terms of the country's €240 billion euro financial bailout and to reverse many of the austerity measures.
The British pound traded higher against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any major economic reports from the U.K.
The Swiss franc traded higher against the U.S. dollar. Switzerland's UBS consumption indicator increased to 1.42 points in December from 1.29 points in November.
Speculation that the Swiss National Bank (SNB) was intervening in the market still weighed on the Swiss franc. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) Vice President Jean-Pierre Danthine said in an interview with the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper published on Tuesday that the central bank is prepared to intervene in markets.
EUR/USD: the currency pair traded mixed
GBP/USD: the currency pair increased to $1.5218
USD/JPY: the currency pair fell to $117.54
The most important news that are expected (GMT0):
19:00 U.S. Fed Interest Rate Decision 0.25% 0.25%
19:00 U.S. FOMC Statement
20:00 New Zealand RBNZ Interest Rate Decision 3.50% 3.50%
20:00 New Zealand RBNZ Rate Statement
21:45 New Zealand Trade Balance, mln December -213 -27
23:50 Japan Retail sales, y/y December +0.4% +0.9%