(pare/closed(GMT +2)/change, %)

EUR/USD $1,3740 -0,32%

GBP/USD $1,6603 +0,17%

USD/CHF Chf0,8865 +0,20%

USD/JPY Y102,23 +0,17%

EUR/JPY Y140,46 -0,16%

GBP/JPY Y169,71 +0,32%

AUD/USD $0,9259 +0,43%

NZD/USD $0,8666 +0,78%

USD/CAD C$1,1031 -0,63%

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

00:05 United Kingdom Gfk Consumer Confidence March -7 -6     

07:00 United Kingdom Nationwide house price index March +0.6%         

07:00 United Kingdom Nationwide house price index, y/y March +9.4%         

07:45 France Consumer spending February -2.1% +1.0%     

07:45 France Consumer spending, y/y February -0.5% +0.3%     

08:00 Switzerland KOF Institute Economic Forecast Quarter II             

09:30 United Kingdom Current account, bln Quarter IV -20.7 -13.5     

09:30 United Kingdom GDP, q/q (Finally) Quarter III +0.7% +0.7%     

09:30 United Kingdom GDP, y/y (Finally) Quarter IV +2.7% +2.7%     

10:00 Eurozone Business climate indicator March 0.37 0.38     

10:00 Eurozone Economic sentiment index March 101.2 101.3     

10:00 Eurozone Industrial confidence March -3.4 -3.5     

12:30 U.S. Personal Income, m/m February +0.3% +0.4%     

12:30 U.S. Personal spending February +0.4% +0.3%     

12:30 U.S. PCE price index ex food, energy, m/m February +0.1% +0.1%     

12:30 U.S. PCE price index ex food, energy, Y/Y February +1.1% +1.1%     

13:00 Germany CPI, m/m (Preliminary) March +0.5% +0.4%     

13:00 Germany CPI, y/y (Preliminary) March +1.2% +1.1%     

13:55 U.S. Reuters/Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index (Finally) March 79.9 80.6

The dollar against the euro has grown significantly , which helped the positive data on GDP and on the labor market . U.S. Commerce Department reported that gross domestic product in the 4th quarter of 2013 increased by 2.6 % compared with the same period last year. This value is higher than the second assessment that GDP grew by 2.4 %, but below economists' forecast for growth of 2.7% . GDP growth in the 4th quarter after growth slowed to 4.1% in the 3rd quarter, but the indicator base strength of the economy has risen. Growth in real final sales , which do not take into account the volatility of stocks subject , accelerated to 2.7% from 2.5% in the 3rd quarter. In the 4th quarter, consumer spending rose by 3.3% , whereas previously assumed their growth by 2.6%.

Meanwhile, a report from the Department of Labor showed that the number of initial claims for unemployment benefits (a measure of layoffs throughout the economy ) decreased by 10,000 and totaled a seasonally adjusted 311,000 in the week ended March 22. Economists had forecast 326,000 new claims for the week . The number of initial claims for the week ending March 15 was slightly revised to 321,000 from 320,000 . Four-week average of initial claims fell to 317,750 last week ( at least since last September ) .

It should also be noted that certain statements after several European officials euro traders now focus on inflation data to determine the fate of the currency .

Pound traded upward against the dollar, but slightly retreated from the highest point of the session. Positively influenced the dynamics of the British retail sales data , but strong U.S. data partly offset the pound . Note that in the UK retail sales rebounded stronger pace in February than expected by economists showed on Thursday , official data Office for National Statistics . Retail sales , including automotive fuel rose 1.7 percent in February from January . It was expected that sales will grow by 0.5 percent , after falling 2 percent in January . Excluding automotive fuel retail sales rose 1.8 percent in February , in contrast to 2 percent drop in the previous month . Economists had expected an increase of 0.3 percent. In annual terms, retail sales , including automotive fuel rose in February by 3.7 percent . Although the level slowed from 3.9 percent growth in January , it exceeded 2.4 per cent growth expected by economists. Except automotive fuel sales growth slowed to 4.2 percent from 4.4 percent in January . Sales are projected to grow had 2.9 percent .

USD/JPY Y101.00, Y101.60/65, Y101.75, Y102.00, Y102.20/30, Y102.40/50, Y103.00, Y103.50, Y104.00, Y104.25

EUR/USD $1.3700, $1.3715, $1.3750, $1.3770, $1.3800, $1.3845/50, $1.3900

AUD/USD $0.9100, $0.9200/10

USD/CAD Cad1.1125, Cad1.1140/50, Cad1.1250, Cad1.1270, Cad1.1300

GBP/USD $1.6475, $1.6500, $1.6530

AUD/NZD NZ$1.0700, NZ$1.0800, NZ$1.0850, NZ$1.0900

EUR/GBP stg0.8245, stg0.8275, stg0.8350

GBP/AUD A$1.8120

EUR/USD

Offers  $1.3890-910, $1.3880, $1.3845/50, $1.3800, $1.3775/80

Bids $1.3725/20, $1.3710/00, $1.3694, $1.3650

GBP/USD

Offers $1.6720/25, $1.6700, $1.6650/55

Bids $1.6600, $1.6580, $1.6550, $1.6500

AUD/USD

Offers $0.9400, $0.9350, $0.9300, $0.9250

Bids $0.9200, $0.9170, $0.9120, $0.9100, $0.9085/80

EUR/JPY

Offers Y142.00, Y141.50, Y141.20

Bids Y140.00, Y139.50

USD/JPY

Offers Y103.00, Y102.80, Y102.50

Bids Y102.00, Y101.60, Y101.50, Y101.35/30, Y101.00

EUR/GBP

Offers stg0.8350, stg0.8300

Bids stg0.8260/50, stg0.8220, stg0.8210/00, stg0.8180

USD/JPY Y101.00, Y101.60/65, Y101.75, Y102.00, Y102.20/30, Y102.40/50, Y103.00, Y103.50, Y104.00, Y104.25

EUR/USD $1.3700, $1.3715, $1.3750, $1.3770, $1.3800, $1.3845/50, $1.3900

AUD/USD $0.9100, $0.9200/10

USD/CAD Cad1.1125, Cad1.1140/50, Cad1.1250, Cad1.1270, Cad1.1300

GBP/USD $1.6475, $1.6500, $1.6530

AUD/NZD NZ$1.0700, NZ$1.0800, NZ$1.0850, NZ$1.0900

EUR/GBP stg0.8245, stg0.8275, stg0.8350

GBP/AUD A$1.8120

The yen reached a one-week high versus the dollar amid concern Western nations will boost pressure on Russia after U.S. President Barack Obama warned against indifference over the annexation of Crimea. The U.S. and Europe are at “a moment of testing,” as Russia challenges the ideals of democracy, free markets and international law that have spread peace and prosperity, Obama said in a speech yesterday in Brussels.

Japan’s currency held a two-day advance against the euro and is set for the first quarterly gain in six periods before the Asian nation publishes data on consumer prices tomorrow. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg News predict a report tomorrow will show Japan’s consumer price index excluding fresh food rose 1.3 percent in February from 12 months earlier, matching the biggest increase in five years and more than halfway to the Bank of Japan’s 2 percent inflation target.

The greenback remained higher versus Europe’s shared currency before a report today that may show faster growth than previously estimated in the world’s biggest economy. Analysts in a separate poll say gross domestic product in the U.S. probably grew at a 2.7 percent annualized rate from October through December, compared with the government’s estimate of 2.4 percent issued last month. The Commerce Department will release the data today.

New Zealand’s dollar climbed for a fifth day after its trade surplus was larger-than-expected last month. Statistics New Zealand said today the nation had a trade surplus of NZ$818 million ($706 million) last month, more than the NZ$600 million forecast by economists surveyed by Bloomberg and the most since April 2011. New Zealand Finance Minister Bill English said the strength of his country’s dollar poses a challenge for exporters.

EUR / USD: during the Asian session, the pair traded in the range of $1.3775-95

GBP / USD: during the Asian session, the pair traded in the range of $1.6565-85

USD / JPY: during the Asian session, the pair is trading around the level of Y102.00

Focus turns to release of UK Retail Sales data at 0930GMT, as cable eyes a move back above $1.6600.