The pound climbed after yesterday's decline to an eight-month low against the U.S. dollar. Investors shifted expectations of a BOE rate hike to the second half of 2016. Market participants are also cautious ahead of a probable referendum on UK's EU membership. An exit from the European Union could harm investment, which supports the pound.

The Australian dollar edged down amid ongoing declines in oil prices. An industry group the American Petroleum Institute said yesterday that U.S. oil inventories likely rose by 2.9 million barrels last week.

EUR/USD: the pair fluctuated within $1.0915-35 in Asian trade

USD/JPY: the pair fell to Y120.35

GBP/USD: the pair rose to $1.4840

The most important news that are expected (GMT0):

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

07:00 United Kingdom Nationwide house price index, y/y December 3.7% 3.8%

07:00 United Kingdom Nationwide house price index December 0.1% 0.5%

07:00 Switzerland UBS Consumption Indicator November 1.6

09:00 Eurozone Private Loans, Y/Y November 1.2% 1.3%

09:00 Eurozone M3 money supply, adjusted y/y November 5.3% 5.4%

12:00 U.S. MBA Mortgage Applications December 7.3%

15:00 U.S. Pending Home Sales (MoM) November 0.2% 0.5%

15:30 U.S. Crude Oil Inventories